On Saturday, September 26, a number of collection sites around the country will be taking back unused and unwanted prescription drugs through the National Take-Back Initiative. The program helps to keep these substances out of our environment (e.g., water supply), as well as keep them safe from children, teens and adults who might accidentally or intentionally look to use them inappropriately.
The Take-Back Initiative says: The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
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