DPH REPORTS SUCCESSFUL DEA PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY FOR DELAWARE 

DOVER (May 9, 2023) - The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) recently held its 24th Prescription Drug Take-Back Day event. Organized nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is operated locally by DPH. The twice-a-year event (April and October) aims to reduce the risk of prescription medications being diverted for misuse and has resulted in 114,470 pounds of medication being collected in Delaware since 2010. Properly discarding unused medications through this event is an important ongoing activity to address the nationwide opioid epidemic. Doing so reduces the risk of addiction by keeping prescription medications out of the hands of people who may misuse, abuse or divert them, and helps reduce the risk of drug overdoses. 

At the spring 2023 event, held April 22, Delawareans discarded their expired or unused medications at locations statewide. A total of 4,629 pounds of medications were collected from 22 Delaware locations, an increase from last fall's 4,200 pounds. Disposal for sharps and needles was available at the Laurel, Middletown, Milton and Wilmington Police Departments, where over 119 pounds of sharps were collected. The safest way to dispose of needles is to use a designated sharps disposal container, which is delivered to incinerators to avoid accidental exposure.     

In addition to the sites that participated in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day activities, permanent medicine drop-off locations are available year-round. DPH and community partners also distribute Deterra bags (medication deactivation bags) to use at home.  Visit https://www.helpisherede.com/understanding-addiction/safe-drug-storage-and-disposal for more information.

To further enhance overdose prevention and education efforts, six of the DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back locations (New Castle, Middletown, Dover, Milford, and Laurel Police Departments and SUN Behavioral Delaware) also performed Overdose Response Training. Participants received free Narcan kits after the training. It is recommended that anyone who has a prescription opioid or has friends and family who use opioid prescriptions or illicit drugs receive this training and the overdose reversal medication, Narcan. For other community training events and to learn where you can get free Narcan, visit: HelpisHereDE.com/overdose-prevention.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction in Delaware, call DHSS' 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785. For free 24/7 counseling, coaching, and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services call the Delaware Hope Line at 833-9-HOPEDE. To search online for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e. TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.

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.

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