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National Drug “Take Back” Program Offered in New England Communities on Sat. Sept. 25

Release Date: 09/21/2010
Contact Information:

(Boston Mass. - Sept. 21, 2010) – This Saturday, Sept. 25, New Englanders will have the opportunity to safely dispose of unused and unwanted medicines from their homes.
On Saturday, more than 3400 sites nationwide will take part in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s "Take Back" campaign. This is a collaborative effort with state and local government, community, public health and law enforcement partners to collect and safely dispose of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous.

Collection activities will take place from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at sites established throughout the country.
The National Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction. Unwanted and unused drugs in household medicine cabinets are a potential source of supply for illegal use.
Many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine. Disposal of unused pharmaceuticals has been a concern for conscientious citizens; unused drugs should not be flushed down a toilet or a sink drain, because allowing traces of potentially dangerous controlled substances to contaminate our nation’s waters and environment raises potential safety and health hazards.
Key aspects of the one-day effort include:
- The program is anonymous;
- Prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules are accepted;
- Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted;
- Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.

More information:
- Sept. 25 Drug Take Back program: (http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/takeback/)

- Find a take back site near you: (https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/NTBI/NTBI-PUB.pub;jsessionid=AFEC39C1D37A3AAB5F3952BBB2442C00?_flowExecutionKey=_c572BF352-1540-6FEC-E03F-8882EA00BCA7_k35AAC32D-743E-0830-C577-2B5D771164E9)

- EPA information on pharmaceuticals in our environment: (https://www.epa.gov/ppcp/)

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