National Prescription Take Back Day

National Prescription Take Back Day is just around the corner!

The Big Day is Saturday April 26, 2014

With the warm weather many of us are itching to get outside, clean out our flowerbeds and get some spring cleaning done. Why not add one more area to clean out to your list--your medicine cabinet. Many local police departments, pharmacies and other community gathering places are participating in National Take Back day. Click on the link below to find the closest place to you.

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/

Prescription and Over-the-Counter medications that are unused, old, or expired are being collected at these drop sites. You may ask, why can't I just throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet?

1. Throwing your medicine in the trash can potentially lead to accidental poisonings of young children or pets.
2. Flushing medicines down the toilet can be potentially harmful for the environment and can lead to water contamination--not to mention if you flush enough they may clog your toilet!


Prescription drug abuse is on the rise among the teen and young adult population. The most common place they find prescription medications are family and friend's medicine cabinets. All medicines should be stored securely and in a non-conspicuous place whether they are being used or they are expired.

Accidental ingestion of prescription medication by children can also occur due to lack of proper storage or disposal of medications. The most common person a child finds medicine with is a grandparent, whether in their house, their purse, or coat pocket.


The reasons to participate in National Take Back Day are endless and they are so important! Tell your friends and family. Check the expiration date on all of your pain medicines, cold medicines, cough syrup and prescription medications. I bet you'll be surprised!