Take old prescription drugs to any police precinct Saturday for National Drug Take Back Day

by | Oct 20, 2016

Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day, when you can take expired or unwanted prescription drugs to any of Seattle’s five police precincts and they’ll properly dispose of it. The semi-annual event is a cooperative effort between SPD and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Drop off prescription drugs between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at the North Precinct, 10049 College Way N., by North Seattle Community College. This free service is anonymous, with no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 11 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 6.4 million pounds—more than 3,200 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses 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.

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