DISPOSE OF EXPIRED AND UNUSED MEDICINES FOR FREE AT APRIL 30 DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY AND PERMANENT COLLECTION SITES

DOVER (April 25, 2016) - To improve safety in our homes and communities, the Division of Public Health (DPH), the Medical Society of Delaware, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the 12th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day for Saturday, April 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For a link to the temporary and permanent collection sites, visit: www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/hhdrugtakeback.html

Delawareans can anonymously discard their expired and unused medicines at designated collection sites in each county. Identification is not required, and no questions will be asked. Collection sites will accept prescription and over-the-counter pills, liquid medications, cream medications, and pet medications. No syringes or inhalers will be accepted.

"Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in their home cabinets are highly susceptible to illegal diversion, misuse, and abuse," said Gary Tuggle, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's Philadelphia Field Division. "I am encouraging the public of Delaware to take full advantage of this free service that the DEA offers to safely dispose of their unwanted or expired prescription medicine."

National studies show that more than two-thirds of people who misuse prescription drugs get them from friends and family, including raiding medicine cabinets, purses, and drawers. Properly disposing of expired and unused medicines prevents prescription drug misuse, which leads to overdoses and addiction. Overdoses from heroin, prescription painkillers, and other drugs led to the deaths of 171 Delaware residents in 2013, or about one person every other day. According to preliminary numbers, 204 Delawareans died of drug-related deaths in 2014. Persons seeking help for drug addiction can visit /www.HelpIsHereDE.com to connect with treatment and recovery services. The website also includes warning signs of addiction.

It is harmful to Delaware's groundwater for unused medicines to be flushed down toilets or put in the trash. Though not at dangerous levels yet, traces of several drugs have been found in private and public water systems throughout Delaware.

Between 2010 and 2015, the 11 Delaware Drug Take-Back events collected 52,002 pounds of drugs. A new collection record was set on the Sept. 12, 2015 Drug Take-Back Day, when Delaware collected 7,227 pounds of drugs.

In addition to the temporary locations, there are now 14 permanent sites at local police departments. The New Castle County Police Department was the first police department in Delaware to establish a permanent medicine collection drop-off box in its lobby.

"Thank you to these 14 police departments who have taken the lead on permanent, safe prescription drug disposal," said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. "Offering constant, safe, and anonymous collection sites can help Delawareans avoid painful addictions, illegal substance use, and tragic overdoses."

Drugs must be in a container such as a pill bottle, box, blister pack, or zip lock bag. Leave liquid medications in their original containers. Needles, aerosols, biohazardous materials, medical equipment, and batteries will not be accepted. Personal information should be removed from bottles and packages.

Businesses such as medical clinics or pharmacies wishing to dispose of unwanted stock are not permitted to use these drop boxes. These DEA registrants must follow Federal Regulation 21CFR1307.21 for disposal of unwanted stock.

More details are available from DPH at www.DelawareHealthyHomes.org or 800-882-9539, and from the DEA at www.dea.gov/take-back/takeback-news.shtml .

The Drug Take-Back Day collection sites, operating on April 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. are:

• Delaware City Police Department
  407 Clinton St.
  Delaware City, DE 19706
  
• Newark Police Department
  220 South Main St.
  Newark, DE 19711
  
  
• Christiana Care Medical Arts Pavilion II
  4755 Ogletown Stanton Rd.
  Newark, DE 19718
  
  
• New Castle County Airport
  151 N. Dupont Hwy.
  New Castle, DE 19720
  
  
• New Castle County Public Safety Building
  3601 N. DuPont Hwy.
  New Castle, DE 19720
  
  
  
• Frawley Stadium
  801 Justison St.
  Wilmington, DE 19801
  
  
• Wilmington VA Medical Center
  1601 Kirkwood Hwy.
  Wilmington, DE 19805
  
  
• Shipley Manor Nursing Home
  2723 Shipley Rd.
  Wilmington, DE 19810
  
  
• Delaware State Police Troop 2
  100 LaGrange Ave.
  Newark, DE 19702
  
  

• Dover AFB Commissary
  268 Galaxy St.
  Dover AFB, DE 19902
  
  
• Cheswold Police Department
  691 Main St.
  Cheswold, DE 19904
  
  
• Heritage at Dover Assisted Living
  1203 Walker Rd.
  Dover, DE 19904
  
  
• Camden Police Department
  1783 Friends Way
  Camden, DE 19934
  
  
• Felton Delaware Town Hall
  24 E. Sewell St.
  Felton, DE 19943
  
  
• Milford Police Department
  400 N.E. Front St.
  Milford, DE 19963
  
  
• Atlantic Apothecary
  100 S. Main St.
  Smyrna, DE 19977
  
  
• Sussex County
  Dagsboro Police Department
  33134 Main St.
  Dagsboro, DE 19939
  
  
• Delaware State Police Troop 4
  23652 Shortly Rd.
  Georgetown, DE 19947
  
  
• Laurel Police Department
  205 Mechanic St.
  Laurel, DE 19956
  
  
• Lewes Municipal Building
  114 E. Third St.
  Lewes, DE 19958
  
  
• Ocean View Police Department
  201 Central Ave.
  Ocean View, DE 19970>
  
  
• Beebe Medical Tunnel Center
  18947 John Jay Williams Hwy.
  Rehoboth, DE 19971
  
  
• Rehoboth Beach Police Department
  229 Rehoboth Ave.
  Rehoboth, DE 19971>
  
  
• CVS Pharmacy
  36252 Lighthouse Rd.
  Selbyville, DE 19975
  
  
• Selbyville Town Hall
  68 W. Church St.
  Selbyville, DE 19975
  
  
• Bridgeville Fire Department
  311 Market St.
  Bridgeville, DE 19933

In addition, there are 14 permanent collection sites at:

• Newark Police Department
  220 S. Main St.
  Newark, DE 19711 >
  
  
• New Castle County Police Department
  3601 N. DuPont Hwy.
  New Castle, DE 19720 >
  
  
• Wilmington Police Department
  300 N. Walnut St.
  Wilmington, DE 19801
  
  

• Dover Police Department
  400 S. Queen St.
  Dover, DE 19904
  
  
• Smyrna Police Department
  325 W. Glenwood Ave.
  Smyrna, DE 19977
  
  
• Felton Police Department
  24 E. Sewell St.
  Felton, DE 19943
  
  
• Camden Police Department
  1783 Friends Way
  Camden, DE 19934
  
  
• Harrington Police Department
  20 Mechanic St.
  Harrington, DE 19952
  
  

• Selbyville Police Department
  68 W. Church St.
  Selbyville, DE 19975
  
  
• Greenwood Police Department
  100 W. Market St.
  Greenwood, DE 19950
  
  
• Ocean View Police Department
  201 Central Ave.
  Ocean View, DE 19970
  
  
• Georgetown Police Department
  335 N. Race St.
  Georgetown, DE 19947
  
  
• Laurel Police Department
  205 Mechanic St.
  Laurel, DE 19956
  
  
• Delmar Police Department
  400 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
  Delmar, MD 21875

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.