Dispose of unwanted drugs safely

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ethan Morgan
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The 48th Medical Group will collect all expired, unused or unwanted drugs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 29, 2012, at the BXtra on RAF Mildenhall and the Exchange on RAF Lakenheath.

The drug collection is part of a nationwide program headed by the Drug Enforcement Agency as part of the fifth U.S. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The program is free and confidential for all participants.

"Children or pets may ingest unused or improperly disposed medications," said Mike Dubroff, 100th Air Refueling Wing Drug Demand Reduction program manager. "This can lead to overdose, injury, and even death."

The RAF Lakenheath pharmacy will place bins at both drop-off locations each bin will act as an "amnesty box," allowing members to dispose of whatever drugs they have.

The goal, according to the DEA, is to address a vital public safety and public health issue.

According to the DEA, at www.justice.gov, medicines that remain unused in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse.

"Removing these drugs from the home significantly reduces the potential for misuse and abuse," said Dubroff. "Sixty percent of people who abuse prescription painkillers indicate that they obtained the prescription drugs from friends or relatives, often taking the drugs without permission."

Americans participating in the last take-back day, on April 28th, turned in a record-breaking 552,161 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,659 take-back sites that were available in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

For more information on the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day or drug safety contact the RAF Lakenheath Pharmacy at DSN 226-8347 or commercial at 01638-528347.