Southern Maryland law enforcement agencies in cooperation, with the Drug Enforcement Administration, participated in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 30, 2011. The purpose of National Take Back Day is to provide an avenue for citizens nationwide to safely dispose of unwanted and/or unused prescription medications. This effort is an attempt to remove and safely dispose of potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from household medicine cabinets.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration:
“Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high—more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined, according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” (DEA, 2011)
Individuals who abuse prescription drugs often steal them from the medicine cabinets of family and friends. Improper disposal of unused medication, e.g. flushing the drug down a sink or toilet or simply throwing it in a trash receptacle, causes biohazard concerns and risks the medication falling into the hands of individuals who will abuse or potentially sell the drug.
“The St. Mary’s CountySheriff’s Office, as well as other law enforcement agencies in Southern Maryland, provides a 24-hour secure drop box in the front lobby of our headquarters where citizens can drop off medications without any questions asked. We believe providing this service year round is important in reducing the chances of having these dangerous substances fall into the wrong hands.” (Sheriff Tim Cameron, St. Mary’s County, Maryland)
