Drug Take Back returns to Braidwood

By: 
STAFF REPORT

Drug Take Back day is coming back to Braidwood.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day returns for its second bi-annual event on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) headquarters at 465 E. Reed Street.

The BAHCC will also be handing out medication lock boxes during this month’s event.

“This is one of those things, what can I do to help,” BAHCC program director Pete Dell’Aquila said. “Just get rid of those medications and stuff you don’t use, you don’t need it. If you haven’t used it for a year, it’s time to get rid of it.”

Drug Take Back Day is a bi-annual effort spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and sponsored locally by law enforcement, coalitions, and local businesses. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent substance use disorder and drug poisoning deaths.

In addition to cleaning out medicine cabinets, members of the community are encouraged to reach out to friends, family and neighbors to get them to take a look at what prescription drugs they may have, and if they can be disposed of during the event.

According to the DEA, the last Take Back Day in April 2022 collected more than 720,000 pounds of unneeded medications at 5,144 collection sites. Since 2010, DEA, along with its law enforcement partners, has collected nearly 16 million pounds of unneeded prescription medications.

“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an important part of DEA’s efforts to fight the overdose epidemic and save lives,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “I encourage everyone across the country to dispose of unneeded medications throughout the year to help keep our communities safe and healthy.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, over 107,000 people died as the result of a drug poisoning last year. This figure means that someone in the United States is dying of a drug poisoning every five minutes.

Take Back Day events provide easy, no-cost opportunities to dispose of medicines stored in the home that are susceptible to abuse and theft.

A permanent drug drop box is also located at CVS Pharmacy locations in Braidwood and Wilmington, as well as Braidwood City Hall.

According to the DEA, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue.

The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.