Got unused prescription drugs in
your medicine cabinet? This Saturday is the time to get rid of them. It’s a
national Prescription Drug Take Back Day sponsored by the DEA and the U.S.
Attorney’s Office. Here in West
Virginia
“We’re really seeing overall a
great outpouring of support and concern from citizens around the state because
they recognize how big an issue this is,” according to Goodwin.
Since the program got underway four
years ago, Goodwin said they’ve seen more and more prescriptions dropped off
during each event. He expected that number to go down as time went on but it
continues to climb. He is confident the message of the dangers of unused
prescription drug pills just sitting, in a cabinet is getting out to the general
public.
“Seventy percent (of abused
prescription drugs) come directly out of medicine cabinets from friends and
family, especially for first time users,” explained Goodwin.
The U.S. Attorney stressed getting
rid of the pills will cut down on first time users and hopefully will have an
impact in the number of drug abusers in the future. He said that’s especially
important now that the state is starting to see more and more cases of heroine
abuse.
“We’re seeing a spike in heroin and
the road to heroin goes through prescription drugs,” said Goodwin.
When you drop off those drugs at
one of the Take Back sites, they will be disposed of in an environmentally
friendly method.
“They are disposed of properly.
They’re incinerated. They taken in and they’re burned. Flushing
them down the toilet has obvious environmental concerns. Throwing them away,
people can pick them back out, of the garbage. We’ve seen that happen,” said
Goodwin. “This is obviously the preferred method of disposal.”
To find where those drop off spots are located, log on to
dea.gov for a full listing.
