JASPER – Hamilton County law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is holding Take Back Day, Oct. 22.

The goal of the event is to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs

Running 10 a.m.-2 p.m., residents can bring pills for disposal to any of the following sites during the time referenced above:

• Jasper City Park

• Jennings City Hall

• White Springs Police Department

The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. 
Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons—over 893,000 pounds—of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners.

In its 11 previous Take Back events combined, DEA and its partners have taken in over 6.4 million pounds—about 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. 
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 22 Take Back Day event, contact the office of the Hamilton County Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Coalition at 386-792-9388, via email at mcdonaldgrace77@gmail.com, or visit the DEA Diversion website at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.