East Hartford Police & Health Department Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs
On Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the East Hartford Police Department, the East Hartford Health Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 18th opportunity in nine years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the East Hartford Public Safety Complex at 31 School Street, East Hartford. (Sites cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last Spring Americans turned in over 468 tons (more than 937,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 6,200 sites operated by the DEA and its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 17 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 11.8 million pounds—approximately 5,900 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 United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen 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.
E-Cigarette & Vaping Devices Disposal
To help combat the continued vaping health crisis across the country, DEA will be collecting vaping pens and cartridges at collection sites during this campaign. Please note: DEA will collect vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers only after the batteries are removed from the devices. It is important to stress that the DEA is not responsible for removing the batteries from the devices. If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Individual consumers may also contact their local Hazardous Materials Management Facility to determine if they accept these devices, and for additional guidance regarding their disposal.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Take Back Day initiative, go to www.DEATakeBack.com or the East Hartford Police Department website.