DRBA Police Participate in National Take-Back Initiative

NEW CASTLE, DE – On Oct. 29, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), working with Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Police Department as well as state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, will be conducting its second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which focuses on removing potentially dangerous drugs from our nation’s homes. A national take-back day will provide an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceuticals and other medications to law enforcement officers for proper disposal.
The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day offers the public numerous collection sites for to proper, safe disposal of controlled, non-controlled, and over the counter medications. This program is absolutely anonymous. No questions or requests for identification will be made by law enforcement personnel present. Participants will be asked to remove any personal information from bottles or packages that contain pills/capsules and liquids and place the bottles or packages into the disposal box. Liquid products and creams in its containers will be accepted.
The DRBA Police Department has established the following three collection sites: New Castle County Airport Terminal; 151 North DuPont Highway; New Castle, Delaware 19720; Cape May Ferry Terminal; 1200 Lincoln Blvd; Cape May, NJ 08204 and Lewes Ferry Terminal; 43 Cape Henlopen Drive; Lewes, Delaware 19958
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. According to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs. According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs daily to get high for the first time. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Information about the April event, including a link to locate a collection site near you, will be posted on the DEA website, www.dea.gov or you may call 215-238-5172 (Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware).
In conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, the DEA conducted National Prescription Drug Take Back Days on Sat., Sept. 25, 2010 and April 25, 2011. Nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in these events and more than 309 tons of pills were collected.