FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

The Newport News Police Department will be participating in a nationwide initiative seeking to prevent increased pill abuse and theft on Saturday, September 25, 2010.

The Newport News Police Department will be participating in a nationwide initiative seeking to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. On Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. the Police Department along with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction. There will be three collection points across the City, the Grissom Library at 366 DeShazor Drive, Police Headquarters at 9710 Jefferson Avenue and the Achievable Dream Preparatory School at 726 16th Street.

Many Americans are not aware that medicines that are lying around in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Prescription drug abuse in the United States is increasing at an alarming rate as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies have shown that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends including from home medicine cabinets. Additionally, most people do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medications. Often these medicines are flushed down a toilet or simply thrown away – both potential safety and health hazards.

This event will offer the opportunity for the community to surrender any expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications. This service is both free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Additional information from the DEA can be found here.

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