The Brownwood Police Department announces that they will be hosting their semi-annual Drug Take Back event on Saturday, Sept 29th, from 10am until 2pm at two locations in Brownwood.  The event is an effort to help keep unneeded prescriptions and illegal drugs off the streets of Brownwood and out of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Chief Mike Corley explained that this will be BPD’s fourth time to participate with the Drug Take Back Day where residents can hand in those unneeded prescription drugs to be disposed of propertly, and that he was very pleased with the previous events’ success.

“This will be our fourth time to participate with the Drug Take Back Day and we have been very pleased with the previous results,” Corley said. “As you might recall, in the spring event of 2011 we received about 68 pounds of returned drugs with the spring of 2012 yielding 198 pounds.  In the fall event of 2011, we received about 231 pounds of returned drugs and we are hoping for similar numbers this time.”

He explained that many residents have been appreciative of the program which is a great benefit to the community.

“This event has been well received by Brown County residents and is very beneficial to our community.  It helps get expired and unwanted drugs out of our medicine cabinets without polluting our public water supply,” Corley said.  “I would also like to say thank you to Wal-Mart and Brookshire’s for allowing us the use of their parking lots for this event.”

He also asks the public to remember:   “Take back those old drugs.  Make our homes safer.  Keep our water supply clean and safe.  Don’t keep those old pills in the house and don’t flush them down the toilet – dispose of them the legal and safe way.  Bring them to Drug Take Back Day on the 29th – no questions asked.”

Two locations will be open to drop off prescription drugs and drive away–NO QUESTIONS ASKED

• Wal-Mart:  401 W. Commerce
• Brookshire’s at Austin & Coggin (1400 Austin)

WHAT CAN I BRING?

Please leave all items in their original containers and black out all personal information.  The following medications will be accepted.

• Prescription Medications (Pills, liquid, creams, &patches)
• Non-prescription Medications (Pills, liquid, creams & patches)
• Pet Medications (Pills, liquid, creams & patches)
• Vitamin & Herbal Supplements (Pills, liquid, creams & patches)
• All types of Inhalers

PLEASE DO NOT BRING THESE ITEMS:

Please check with your health-care provider for proper disposal procedures for the following items that will not be accepted:

• NO Sharps
• NO Syringes
• NO Oxygen Tanks
• NO Pen Needles
• NO Lancets

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue, according to info on the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) website.  More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.  Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

The purpose of this Take Back Day is to provide a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.  This effort was a huge success at the first event, September 25, 2010, removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation’s medicine cabinets.  There were more than 121 tons of pills on this first National Take Back Day nationwide.

Once collected, the drugs locally will be taken by Brownwood Police Department to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to be destroyed.

For more information regarding the Drug Take–Back Program contact the Brownwood Police Department at (325) 646-2525.