National Drug Take-Back Month

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has a clear warning: “You could be a drug dealer and not know it.” Research shows that the number one reason that kids abuse drugs is that they can get them for free from the homes of friends or families. To combat this, the DEA is holding its 12th National Prescription Drug Take-Back event on Saturday, October 23, 2021, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at a location near you. Inquiries about locations can also be made by calling 1-800-882-9539. At Beaches Recovery, we can help you, or a loved one learn more about the event and, if necessary, answer your questions about prescription pill addiction treatment.

What Is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day?

The most commonly abused drugs by teens are opioids, depressants, and stimulants. Though, teens have also been known to take whatever medication they can get their hands on and bring it to a Pharming Party, also known as Skittling, where different medications are thrown into one bowl, mixed up, and then ingested. This means that kids could take heart medication or blood thinners alongside an opioid, stimulant, or depressant. These drugs are often mixed with alcohol or marijuana, as well. National Drug Take-Back initiative will prevent some of this activity.

Emergency Room Hospital visits were up between 2008 and 2011. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDS), during 2008 – 2011, an average of 1.1 million emergency department (ED) visits were made each year for drug poisoning. What’s more, a sobering March 2016 fact sheet by the National Center for Health Statistics reported that “drug-poisoning is the leading cause of injury death in the United States. Drugs—both pharmaceutical and illicit—cause the vast majority of poisoning deaths.” You can prevent your family from becoming a statistic by participating in National Drug Take-Back Day.

What You Can Do

How can you help keep prescription drugs out of the hands of youth and other potential abusers? Protect youth in your life by properly disposing of unused prescription drugs at a National Take Back Event Near You. If you cannot make it to a take-back event, you can properly dispose of unused prescriptions in your home by:

• Taking the meds out of their bottles
• Mix them with something unappealing like used kitty litter or coffee grounds
• Seal them in a bag or disposable container, and throw that away in the trash.
• Keep all prescription drugs in your home in a locked box or cabinet.
• Be aware that youth, their friends, or even someone doing work at your home could take your prescription medications.

In the past, 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs were kept out of the hands of youth and other potential abusers at sites operated by the DEA and state and local law enforcement partners. This Saturday, October 23, you can be one of the many who are protecting our youth from substance abuse by bringing your unused prescription drugs to an event near you. (Please note, DEA does not accept liquids or syringes.)

Discover How Beaches Recovery Can Provide the Treatment Necessary

Beaches Recovery is committed to helping those struggling with a substance use disorder (an addiction to drugs or alcohol) heal and overcome the disease. We know you or a loved one can get back to leading a happy and productive life with the right support. This is why we offer a number of addiction treatment programs so that each person’s unique needs are met. Some of our treatment programs include:

• Resdiential treatment
• Partial hospitalization program
• Intensive outpatient program
• Outpatient treatment

As addiction specialists, we also realize the value of preventing people from becoming addicted in the first place. All of us can play a role in that by attending a Prescription Drug Take-Back event or properly disposing of unused medications. If you or someone you love needs help in recovering from addiction, call us at 866.605.0532. Healing begins here.