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Statewide Prescription Take Back Day Announced

September 20th, 2012 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland State Police and Drug Enforcement Agency announce a statewide prescription take back day, scheduled 10 am to 2 pm, September 29th.

Prescription drug abuse is the Nation's fastest growing drug problem. Take-back programs are the safest method for disposing of prescription drugs because they are organized and closely monitored by local, state, and federal government agencies. These agencies ensure the proper disposal of the drugs in accordance with federal law.
A growing concern across Maryland is prescription medications being taken from medicine cabinets or the trash by those who abuse drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in one month alone, nearly seven million Americans over the age of 12 reported abusing prescription medications. In fact, approximately 60 percent of people who abuse prescription painkillers indicate that they obtained the prescription drugs from friends or relatives for free, often taking the drugs without permission.

Children or pets may ingest indisposed or improperly disposed medications. This can lead to overdose, injury, and even death.

Many people believe that flushing or simply throwing away drugs is the best way to dispose of medications, however, if not disposed of properly, the drugs can contaminate the ground and waterways. Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove or process many compounds found in medications. Instead, when flushed or put in a landfill, the drugs are discharged into our surface and ground water. Pharmaceutical contaminants in water have been shown to cause serious harm to fish and wildlife living in and near rivers and lakes. Humans can also be exposed to these chemicals when they drink water drawn from contaminated bodies of water or eat wild game or fish. The long-term human health risk from exposure to even very small amounts of these chemicals is not yet known.

 The Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack has been identified as the drop location for the 29th, for your out dated, unwanted, and excess prescription medications. They should be dropped off in their original containers, and no syringes will be accepted.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Duty Officer at 301-729-2101.

 

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