Prescription Drug Take-Back Day On Saturday
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Philadelphia Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration says your medicine cabinet may be a clear and present danger. That is why the DEA is holding a prescription drug take-back day this Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at scores of area locations.
Unused or expired meds that unnecessarily remain in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Special Agent in Charge John Bryfonski says for many, prescription drugs are the very first drugs they abuse and too often, they are not the last.
"Sixty percent of the teens that we surveyed found that the easiest way for them to get prescription drugs is from their very own medicine cabinets, either at home, or at grandma and grandpa's medicine cabinet," Bryfonski said.
He says it is the fastest growing drug abuse problem in the U.S.
"Most people don't know that there are more people abusing prescription drugs than there are people abusing cocaine, heroin, inhalants and hallucinogens combined," Bryfonski said.
Last year, in the First National Take-Back Day, the DEA took in 121-tons of prescription drugs.
A number of local ShopRite stores, as well as police departments, townships and boroughs have collection sites. Go to dea.gov and click on the 'Got Drugs?' icon for drop-off locations.
Reported by Steve Tawa, KYW Newsradio
