On Saturday April 30, 2011 the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Lawrence Police Department are participating in the nationwide prescription drug "Take-Back Day." The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is coordinating with state and local law enforcement agencies to collect expired, unused, or unwanted prescription and over the counter drugs. The collection site in Lawrence is the short-term parking lot next to the county courthouse. We will accept unwanted medications between the hours of 10:00A.M. to 2:00P.M., Saturday April 30th. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
This is the second national prescription drug Take-Back initiative coordinated by the DEA. At last September's Take-Back Day the DEA collected over 242,000 pounds (121 tons) of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites. In Lawrence over 100 people disposed of more than 180 pounds of unwanted medications, three times the national site average.
The public is encouraged to dispose of all solid dosage pharmaceuticals, such as tablets and capsules. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain securely sealed in the original container. We cannot accept intra-venous solutions, injectibles, needles, or illegal drugs. Participants may dispose of a medication in its original container, and are advised to remove any identifying information from the prescription label. All items are placed in a secure box and collected by the DEA for destruction.
As much as 40% of all medications go unused, representing some 1.5 billion doses a year. It is little wonder prescription drug abuse is the nation's fastest-growing drug problem. By removing unwanted medicines from home cabinets we reduce the opportunity for abuse, and decrease the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses. It also gives participants a way to properly dispose of unwanted medicines in a safe, legal, and environmentally sound way, instead of flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away.
Douglas County Commissioners have proclaimed April 30, 2011 as Prescription Take-Back Day in Douglas County. They encourage all Douglas County residents to dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications at the drop-off site next to the courthouse between 10:00AM and 2:00PM, Saturday April 30th.
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