Public Safety to Collect Unwanted Prescription Drugs

Beginning on Oct. 22, until Oct. 25, the Department Of Public Safety in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 12th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

There will be several drop-off zones available to dispose of unwanted medications. Liquids, needles, and sharps cannot be accepted.

Drop-off Zones:

• 10 am. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, Wool Center
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, Busch Student Center
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, Learning Resources Center
• 5 to 9 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, Spring Hall

Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (more than 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 11 previous “Take Back” events, the DEA and its partners have collected over 6.4 million pounds - about 3,200 tons - of pills.

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. Improperly disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Take Back Event, contact Officer Tim Allen (allentw@slu.edu).