This Saturday, Oct. 26, is National Drug Take Back Day, when people with unwanted prescription medications can safely dispose of them at designated drop sites. There are 60 sites in Vermont registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the majority of which are located at local police departments or drug stores. The Drug Take Back sites will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
According to the Chittenden Solid Waste District, it can be dangerous to keep unneeded prescription drugs:
Leftover medicine poses a serious safety threat in the U.S., with more people dying each year from overdoses involving prescription painkillers than from heroin and cocaine combined, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prescription drugs can also pose environmental problems if disposed of improperly, according to an organization dedicated to reducing the health and environmental impacts of consumer products called the Product Stewardship Institute. The institute has created a Go-to-Guide that offers information on safe pharmaceutical take-back initiatives and the dangers of improper medicine storage and disposal.
Earlier this month, the Hartford Police Department announced it has installed a permanent drug take back receptacle. Drugs can be brought there at any time, but liquids and needles are not accepted.
