PHOENIX, AZ (September 26, 2012) – Volunteers from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will collect unused or unwanted medications from the public on Saturday, September 29th as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Citizens will be able to safely dispose of expired or unneeded prescription and over-the-counter drugs free of charge, preventing these potentially dangerous substances from falling into the wrong hands or damaging the environment.
The event will be held on Saturday, September 29th, 2012 from 10:00am – 2:00pm at Target, 1230 South Longmore in Mesa, AZ.
“Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem in our community and we welcome the opportunity to address it by partnering with the DEA on this program,” remarked Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “My office holds similar free “Take Back” events throughout the year, and the response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive,” he added.
According to the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than those who use cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined. Studies indicate that a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends. By offering the public a way to safely dispose of these medications, programs like the National Take-Back Day keep prescription drugs out of the hands of potential abusers and out of our water supply, which is where they wind up if they are flushed down a toilet or poured down a drain.
At the MCAO’s Take-Back event in Mesa, citizens are encouraged to bring expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications in their original containers, if possible. No thermometers, needles or medical waste of any kind will be accepted.
Additional free collection sites that will be available to collect prescription drugs on September 29th can be found by clicking on the “Got Drugs?” icon at www.dea.gov.
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