NEW: Statewide Prescription Drug Take Back Day Scheduled for Sept. 29
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin is pleased to once again bring Rhode Islanders an opportunity to safely dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs with another statewide Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, September 29, 2012. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.
On Saturday, September 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Office of Attorney General, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Rhode Island State Police, the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH), the City of Providence, and local police departments will accept prescription medications for safe and secure disposal at 36 collection sites across Rhode Island with more locations added daily (for a complete list, please see attached document or visit www.dea.gov or www.riag.ri.gov) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
“The non-medical use of prescription drugs is a growing public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse. In fact, non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America,” said Attorney General Kilmartin. “Users don’t need to buy their drugs on dark street corners. Most abused prescription drugs come from family and friends – and the home medicine cabinet. You could be a drug dealer and not even know it.”
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“From 2007 to 2011, our Department has seen the number of drug abuse admissions for opiates and benzodiazepines, other than heroin, double for individuals under 21,” added Craig Stenning, Director of the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals. “It is critical for family, friends, teachers, students and other members of the community to be aware of the warning signs of substance abuse and the serious effects that can result without early intervention.”
Since the Prescription Drug Take Back program launched in 2010, Rhode Islanders have disposed of more than 5,300 pounds of prescription drugs.
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
