NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY SET FOR APRIL 27
Ellis County – Local law enforcement, Reach Council, and the DEA will partner to host the semi-annual Prescription Drug Take Back Event on Saturday, April 27.
Officers will collect unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications at the following locations:
Ferris
Town Gazebo
(100 Town Plaza)
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Italy
Italy Police Department
(101 W. Main St.)
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Midlothian
Ace Hardware
(530 E. Main St.)
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Palmer
Palmer Police Department
(650 S. Dallas St.) 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Red Oak
Red Oak Police Department
(547 N. Methodist)
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Waxahachie
Coleman Jr. High Parking Lot
(1000 N. Hwy. 77)
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Prescription Drug Take Back is part of a national effort by the DEA to reduce the availability of unmonitored medications in home medicine cabinets.
This April’s event marks the 26th DEA take-back day that helps prevent prescription abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
This past October Americans turned in 599,897 lbs. (300 Tons) of prescription drugs at 4,675 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,383 of its state and local law enforcement partners.
Total weight of 17,900,351 lbs. (8,950 tons) of medications have been collected over the last 25 events.
“Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet,” said Shari Phillips, Reach Council Community Liaison.
“In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.”
Accepted medicines, in addition to unused and outdated prescriptions, are over-the-counter pills and liquid medications, as well as pet medications.
Officers will not be able to accept inhalers or injection.
For more information about REACH Council contact Shari Phillips, Reach Council Community Liaison at shari.phillips@ReachCouncil.org or at (972) 723-1053 ext. 105.