National Take-Back Initiative to Hold Collections at Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminals

CAPE MAY — Sat., April 30, 2016, 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 annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The National Take Back Day, which focuses on removing potentially dangerous drugs from our nation’s homes, provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceuticals and other medications to law enforcement officers for proper disposal.
According to Col. Rick Arroyo, Police Administrator for the Authority, the program is absolutely anonymous. “No questions or requests for identification will be made by law enforcement personnel present,” Arroyo said. “In fact, participants will be asked to remove any personal information from bottles or packages.” Arroyo added that the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides for numerous collection sites throughout the area. The goal is the proper, safe disposal of all types of controlled, non-controlled, and over the counter medications – including pills, liquids and creams. No syringes please.
The event will be held April 30, 2016, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The DRBA Police Department has established the following three collection sites: The Wilmington- New Castle Airport (ILG) Terminal Building, 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, DE 19958.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Americans are also advised that the typical methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
According to a recent survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, an estimated 6.5 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. Information about the April event, including a link to locate a collection site near you, will be posted on the DEA website at www.dea.gov.
About the Delaware River and Bay Authority:
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing. The DRBA also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers – two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (New Castle Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities. For more information, visit www.drba.net.