On Saturday, April 29, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the Charles County Sheriff’s Office will join the Drug Enforcement Administration in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day – a program held annually to encourage people with unwanted prescription medications to dispose of them safely and in a way that is environmentally friendly. Although the CCSO offers residents the opportunity to dispose of unwanted medications at any time, the Agency is promoting this national event to highlight the importance of ridding homes of medicines that are no longer needed.
Rates of prescription drug abuse are alarmingly high, particularly among teens and young adults who often get the drugs from a family member or friend, including the home medicine cabinet. “Removing unwanted or unused medications from homes is critical to the safety of those who might abuse them,” said Sheriff Troy D. Berry.
“There is also an environmental component,” he added. “This program disposes of these drugs in a safe way that protects our planet.”
Prescription drugs, such as Oxycodone and Percocet, are popular among addicts who often turn to stealing or robbing to feed their habits. “There is a link between drug addiction and crime,” said Sheriff Berry. “In this way, addiction affects us all. We all need to do our part in ridding our homes of unwanted medications so that we can put a stop to prescription drug abuse.” During the most recent National
Prescription Drug Take Back Day in April of 2016, the DEA and over 4,200 of its state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners collected a record-setting 893,498 pounds of unwanted medicines—about 447 tons – at almost 5,400 sites across the country. Agencies in Maryland alone collected more than 11,400 pounds at 78 collection sites.
To drop off unwanted medications, simply bring the medicines to either the Waldorf station at 3670 Leonardtown Road or the La Plata station at 6855 Crain Highway.
Prescription, non-prescription, pet medicines, and vitamins are accepted, but they must be in tablets, capsules, and other solid dosage forms. Intravenous solutions, injectibles, and syringes are not accepted. For additional information, visit www.ccso.us.