Free, anonymous drug take-back day goes till 2 this afternoon

ROCHESTER - Today till 2 p.m. the Rochester Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 18th opportunity in nine years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Anyone can bring their pills for disposal to the Rochester Police Department at 23 Wakefield St., Rochester, (no liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches).

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Last fall Americans turned in nearly 460 tons (more than 900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners.

Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 11 million pounds -- nearly 5,500 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.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else's medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines -- flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash -- both pose potential safety and health hazards.

In addition to prescription medication, DEA will collect vape pens or other e‐cigarette devices from individual consumers only after the batteries are removed from the devices. It is important to stress that neither the Police Department nor the DEA is responsible for removing the batteries from the devices.

If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e‐cigarette devices for proper disposal.

Individual consumers may also contact their local Hazardous Materials Management Facility to determine if they accept these devices, and for additional guidance regarding proper disposal. For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 26 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com