Danville Police say more than 200 pounds of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs were collected on Saturday, April 26, as part of a "Take-back Day.” From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., citizens could turn in the medication for safe disposal at Walgreens on South Main Street and CVS on Riverside Drive.
The Danville Police Department, Danville Sheriff’s Office, Regional Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention Inc. (RASAP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) held the event. It was the eighth opportunity in three years in which the event was held locally. These events are part of a nationwide initiative to address a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
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.
