NEW CASTLE, Del. – On Saturday, October 28, 2023, the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Police Department will participate in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) twenty-fifth National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This initiative, 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.
“We’re pleased to be able to once again participate in this national program to take old prescription drugs and expired over-the-counter medicines out of circulation,” said Col. Wayne McFadden of the DRBA Police Department. “With the proper disposal of unused or expired prescription drugs, you’re ensuring that these medications don’t find their way into the wrong hands. We encourage folks to take advantage of this convenient, anonymous way to clean out that medicine cabinet.”
This easy, hassle-free program is strictly confidential. “No questions or requests for identification will be made by law enforcement personnel present,” McFadden added. “In fact, participants will be asked to remove any personal information from bottles or packages.”
Numerous collections sites are established throughout the area for the public to relinquish over the counter, controlled substances, or prescription drugs – including tablets, capsules, ointments, creams and liquids as well as expired animal medication and vitamins. No syringes please.
Since the bi-state agency began participating in the NTBI in 2010, more than 2,800 pounds of medication have been collected at DRBA sites.
When: October 28, 2023; 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: The DRBA Police Department has established three collection sites:
- Wilmington Airport Terminal Building, 151 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE
- Lewes Ferry Terminal, 43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE
- Cape May Ferry Terminal, 1200 Lincoln Blvd., N. Cape May, NJ
Typical methods for disposing of unused medicines – either flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – pose potential safety, health, and environmental risks. Drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved, abused, or illegally sold. Flushing unwanted medicines may contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.
The public can find the nearest collection sites in their community by logging on to the internet and going to the www.dea.gov website and clicking on the drug disposal icon. After clicking on the icon, you must enter your zip code and the database will query the collection sites that have been registered and provide you with the nearest collection site near that zip code.
