CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Police Department and Cullman County Sheriff’s Office are both participating in this year’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 24.
The Cullman Police Department will be at the south Wal-Mart from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office will be at the CCSO Training Building,1920 Beech Ave. SE Cullman, AL, from 7 a.m.-noon.
Cullman County residents can bring their unused or expired medication to either location, and officers or deputies will dispose of the medication for them safely.
The aim is to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse.
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.”
The DEA website says that during the October 2019 National Take Back Day, a total of 4,896 law enforcement agencies participated at 6,174 collection sites. In all, 882,919 pounds (441.5 tons) of prescription drugs were collected, bringing the total amount of prescription drugs collected by the DEA since the fall of 2010 to nearly 12.7 million pounds.
“There are several very important reasons to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs,” said Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, “but the main reason is these medicines remain in the home and are highly susceptible to being misused, stolen and abused.”
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is part of Red Ribbon Week, celebrated annually Oct. 23-31, is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program.
Learn more about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at https://takebackday.dea.gov/.
For more about Red Ribbon Week, visit www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/get-involved/red-ribbon-week.
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