Dump unwanted prescription drugs safely | Darien Times

The town collected 200 lbs. of prescriptions last year.

Have unused prescription drugs? Then bring them to the dump on Ledge Road on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10-2 p.m.

The Darien Health Department, in conjunction with the Darien Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration, will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The service is free and anonymous-no questions asked.

This will be the fifth collection in Darien, with 200 pounds of prescriptions collected last time. Collection has also increased by 50 pounds during every single event.

Officials ask that residents use this as a chance to clean out their medicine cabinets. People should avoid flushing medication down the toilet to protect the environment. These drugs can sometimes be detected in surface and groundwater. Throwing them in the trash can also pose an environmental threat. Drugs that are collected at the event are incinerated to ensure full disposal.

The Drug Enforcement Adminstration sponsors this event around every six months to bring attention to and reduce the high rates of prescription drug abuse, overdose and accidental poisoning in the U.S.

More than 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration?s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Note that this collection effort is for drugs only. No other items such as needles or hazardous materials will be accepted.

Source: http://www.darientimes.com/9412/dump-unwanted-prescription-drugs-safely/

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