Sheriff Tommy Gage and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office announced today that it will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in its first ever nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. Montgomery County Sheriff deputies and DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at sites on Saturday, September 25th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Sheriff Tommy Gage agrees that this initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. “Many of our residents are not aware that unused or expired medicines in our homes are susceptible to misuse and abuse” said Sheriff Gage, “and this program will provide a safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs.”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdose from family and friends. Many times homeowners do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
According to DEA, prescription drug abuse is one of the Nation’s fastest-growing drug problems, and take-back events like this are a tool for reducing that threat. The partnership with DEA and other local community efforts represent a national effort to reduce pharmaceutical drug abuse.
Collection sites can be found by going to www.dea.gov . According to DEA this website will be continuously updated with new take-back locations.
Collection sites in Montgomery County:
Kroger Parking Lot
12466 I-45 North @ FM 1097.
Willis, TX 77378
FM 1097 @ IH 45
And
Wal-Mart Parking Lot
3040 College Park Dr
The Woodlands, TX 77384
SH 242 @ IH 45
