Photo from previous Take Back Day, via DADPP Facebook

Photo from previous Take Back Day, via DADPP Facebook

According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH,) 4 percent of 16-17 year olds abuse prescription drugs. As people age, they become increasingly likely to take psychotherapeutics recreationally. To combat the problem, the Dallas Area Drug Prevention Partnership (DADPP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host a “Take Back Day” on September 26.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. individuals with expired or unwanted prescriptions are encouraged to dispose of the drugs at one of six Walgreen’s locations throughout our city – no questions asked. The DEA can only accept pills and patches – so no liquids, needles or “sharps.”

Readers are reminding not to flush unwanted prescription drugs down the toilet, which can end up in the waterways and cause environmental damage.

Since Take Back Day’s inception in 2010, the DEA has collected more than 2,400 tons of pills nationwide. This is Dallas’ tenth time to participate in the initiative. People in our neighborhood may dispose of their prescriptsions at Walgreens – 3732 W. Northwest Hwy.