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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: April 20, 2017
DHSS-04-2017

MEDIA ADVISORY: MEDIA ADVISORY WALGREENS, DEA, DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCE APRIL 29 AS DELAWARE�S DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY

WHO: Matt Denn, Delaware Attorney General Kara Odom Walker, MD, MPH, Secretary, Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) Karyl T. Rattay, MD, MS, Director, Division of Public Health (DPH) and Chair, Prescription Drug Action Committee (PDAC) Shawn R. Ellerman, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Philadelphia Field Division Jessica Puckett Beasley, Regional Healthcare Director, Walgreens
WHAT: Press conference to announce the Delaware Drug Take-Back Day on April 29, when Delawareans can safely dispose of expired or unused medications at more than 30 locations statewide. Walgreens is the first private retailer to install safe medicine disposal boxes. Six of Delaware�s 21 permanent medicine drop-off locations are in Walgreens pharmacies. A list of permanent medicine collection sites can be found at dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsp/files/hhdrugtbloc.pdf.
WHY:Safe disposal of expired and unused prescription and over-the-counter medications protects groundwater, reduces the risk of addiction, keeps prescription medications out of the hands of people who may abuse them, and helps prevent drug overdoses. Of drug overdoses in Delaware, up to 80 percent of them may involve one or more prescription drugs. In 2016, 308 people died from overdoses in Delaware, compared to 228 in 2015 and 222 in 2014. Nationwide, the CDC reported 47,055 people died from drug overdoses in 2014, or 1.5 times greater than the number killed in car crashes.The DEA and Delaware Health and Social Services sponsor the national Drug Take-Back Day initiative, which will be held Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Since 2010, Delaware has collected 65,745 pounds of expired and unused medicines through its 13 Drug Take-Back Day events. A list of participating locations is below.
WHEN:Monday, April 24, 2017, 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
WHERE:Walgreens store pharmacy in the Fairfax Shopping Center 2119 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19803
PHOTOS:Walgreens' Safe Medication Disposal Kiosk, pharmacist, close-ups of prescription and over-the-counter drugs
QUESTIONS:302-744-4704. For more details about Delaware�s Drug Take-Back Day, call 800-882-9539.

Delaware's Drug Take-Back Day sites for April 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. are:

New Castle County
Daniel S. Frawley Stadium, 801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington, DE 19801 Delaware City Police Department, 407 Clinton St., Delaware City, DE 19706
New Castle County Airport, 151 N. Dupont Hwy., New Castle, DE 19720 Paul J. Sweeney Public Safety Building, 3601 N. DuPont Hwy., New Castle, DE 19720
Wilmington VA Medical Center, 1601 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE 19805
Shipley Manor Nursing Home, 2723 Shipley Road, Wilmington, DE 19810 Christiana Care Surgical Center, 4755 Ogletown Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19718
University of Delaware � Laurel Hall, 282 The Green, Newark, DE 19716 Delaware State Police Troop 2, 100 La Grange Ave., Newark, DE 19702 Newark Police Department, 220 South Main St., Newark, DE 19711 (permanent collection site)
Walgreens, 1120 Pulaski Hwy., Bear, DE 19701 (permanent collection site)
Walgreens, 6317 Limestone Road, Hockessin, DE 19707 (permanent collection site)
Walgreens, 2119 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803 (permanent collection site)

Kent County
Atlantic Apothecary, 103. S. Dupont Blvd., Suite 2, Smyrna, DE 19977 Cheswold Police Department, 691 Main St., Cheswold, DE 19936
Delaware State Police Troop 3, 3759 S. State St., Camden, DE 19934
Heritage at Dover Assisted Living, 1203 Walker Road, Dover, DE 19904
Walgreens, 1001 Forrest Ave., Dover, DE 19904 (permanent collection site)
Felton Police Department, 24 East Sewell St., Felton, DE 19943 (permanent collection site)
Milford Police Department, 400 N.E. Front St., Milford, DE 19963 (permanent collection site)

Sussex County
Dagsboro Police Department, 33134 Main St., Dagsboro, DE 19939
Delaware State Police Troop 4, 23652 Shortly Road, Georgetown, DE 19947
City of Lewes Board of Public Works, 129 Schley Ave., Lewes, DE 19958
Delaware State Police Troop 7, 18006 Coastal Hwy., Lewes, DE 19958
Milton Police Department, 101 Federal St., Milton, DE 19968
Beebe Medical Tunnell Center, 18947 John Jay Williams Hwy., Rehoboth, DE 19971
Rehoboth Beach Police Department, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth, DE 19971
CVS Pharmacy, 36252 Lighthouse Road, Selbyville, DE 19975
Selbyville Town Hall, 68 W. Church St., Selbyville, DE 19975 (permanent collection site)
Ocean View Police Department, 201 Central Ave., Ocean View, DE 19970 (permanent collection site)
Laurel Police Department, 205 Mechanic St., Laurel, DE 19956 (permanent collection site)
Walgreens, 17239 Five Points Square, Lewes DE 19958 (permanent collection site)
Walgreens, 22898 Sussex Hwy., Seaford, DE 19973 (permanent collection site)

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, and 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.

MEDIA ADVISORY: MEDIA ADVISORY WALGREENS, DEA, DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCE APRIL 29 AS DELAWARE�S DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY

Delaware's Government