Awareness of the dangers of pharmaceutical opioids is thankfully growing. Doctors are becoming reluctant to use opioids in cases where other routes have not been pursued first. One of the most effective ways to avoid abusing drugs is to not have them around. The DEA runs a great program to collect and properly dispose of unused or expired prescription medications.
An Effective Program
There’s something very empowering about handing in the medicine, avoiding a toxic gathering, or turning down an offered drink. By doing so, we can see evidence that our work to live healthier is succeeding, that our efforts to build positive coping mechanisms are worth it.
April 15th, 2018 was the 15th National Take Back Day. 5,842 sites (supervised by 4,683 law enforcement officers) collected an incredible 474.5 tons of drugs. They operated in every state, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Florida alone had a total of 152 collection sites and Floridians returned a total of 305,891 pounds of drugs.
Coming Soon!
Though you can dispose of unused prescription medication year round (find out where here: https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1) the Take Back Day is effective because the deadline encourages people to not put it off. The next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is on October 27th, 2018 at 10:00 am. If you are reading this after that date, there is likely already a new one scheduled. To learn more about the event and to find the drop-off location nearest to you, you can visit the DEA’s homepage on the event at https://takebackday.dea.gov/
If you have grown dependent on prescription opioids, coming off them cold turkey can be difficult or even dangerous. It is best to only do so in close consultation with trained opiates withdrawal specialists. Call us for more information at (833) 596-3502 to get started.
