(Editor’s note: The following information and article were collected from the Drug Enforcement Administration website, www.justice.gov/dea.)
Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s Law Enforcement personnel and Substance Abuse Counseling Center will join forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration Wednesday through Oct. 31 in the “Drug Take Back Program,” which provides base personnel an opportunity to anonymously dispose of any expired, unused and/or unwanted prescription drugs.
Last October, Americans across the country turned in 324 tons, more than 647,000 pounds, of prescription drugs at more than 4,114 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners, to include here aboard the installation.
Additionally, in its previous seven Drug Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have collected more than 3.4 million pounds, more than 1,700 tons, of pills.
This initiative is a vital public safety and public health issue. Prescription medication that languishes in home cabinets is highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Prescription drug use in the U.S. is currently at an alarming rate, according to the DEA website, which also contributes to the high number of accidental poisonings and deaths.
Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from families and friends, including from home medicine cabinets. 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.
Contact the Substance Abuse Counseling Center at 229-639-7941 for more information.
Dates, times and locations of sites aboard the base to turn in unwanted prescription drugs are provided below.
Remember: The service is free and anonymous and disposal locations cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches.