FORT LEE, Va. – Fort Lee will conduct its fourth Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the visitor center adjacent to the Lee Avenue access gate.
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is a national effort that addresses one of America’s deadliest hazards – unused and/or outdated medications found in bathroom cabinets, kitchens and bedside tables in nearly every home across the country.
More Americans currently abuse commonly prescribed drugs like codeine, Vicodin and Percocet than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined, according to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Prescribed drug overdoses stand as the second leading cause of accidental death across the nation.
To address the problem and foster safe and healthy military communities, Army installations across the United States are once again partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and state and local law enforcement offices for the semi-annual drive that encourages households to safely eliminate unneeded prescribed medications by turning them in for proper disposal.
All active duty military, reservists, family members, civilian employees and retirees can anonymously turn in prescription medications during the take back drives at Fort Lee and any other Army installation.
The potential for abuse, overdose and environmental harm associated with the incorrect disposal of prescription drugs are serious concerns for the entire country, according to the DEA. Unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue as well, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and a catalyst for drug abuse.
This event is a prime opportunity to raise community awareness, educate the Army family on the dangers of prescription drug abuse, and help make military installations a safer place to live and work, according to Mary Claiborne, Army Employee Assistance Program manager for Fort Lee.
“During the previous National Drug Take-Back Day on April 28, more than 5,650 collection sites across the U.S. accumulated and disposed of more than 552,000 pounds of unwanted, expired and unused prescription drugs,” Claiborne said.
Throughout the nation, more than 5,000 state and local law enforcement agencies also participated in the previous National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days. The American public has turned in more than 774 tons of pills and medication during the events.
The Fort Lee ASAP office is coordinating the local drive, and law enforcement personnel from the Provost Marshal Office will be present at the drop off locations as prescribed by DEA protocols.
For those unable to make it to a collection location, unused or expired medicines can be safely discarded by mixing them with something that will hide the medicine or make it unappealing, such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds; placing the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag; and throwing the container in your household trash.
The FDA recommends flushing as a means of disposal for a limited number of medications, including Oxycontin, Demerol and Percocet, to prevent danger to people and pets in the home. Flushing these medicines will get rid of them right away and help keep your family and pets safe.
To learn more about National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day or to find a drop-off location, visit the DEA website at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/take back or contact the ASAP office at (804) 734-9693.