Prescription drug take-back April 30

The Nevada Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs on April 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. At that time, residents may bring medications for disposal to the Nevada Police Department at 120 S. Ash in Nevada.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Tablets, capsules and all other solid dosage forms will be collected. Intravenous solutions, injectables and syringes will not be accepted.

Last September, Americans turned in 242,000 pounds --121 tons --of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners, including the Nevada Police Department.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines -- flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash -- both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information on this program visit www.dea.gov and click on the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day icon.