Annapolis Police Drug Take-Back Day Set For Oct. 28

ANNAPOLIS, MD — If you have unwanted drugs and medications, there's a safe way to dispose of them. The Annapolis Police Department offers a medication disposal drop box at its station, 199 Taylor Ave.. The Anne Arundel Department of Health's Opioid Misuse Prevention Program funded the drop box, which is open from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays.

They accept controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter substances. If they're expired, or you just don't want or need them anymore, the Annapolis Police Department is the perfect place to get rid of them.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Annapolis Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public a chance to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the Annapolis Police Department. The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

They don't accept everything, though. Items that are not allowed are illicit substances (like marijuana, heroin or other illegal drugs), injectables, intravenous solutions, according to the department's Facebook page.

Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (over 900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—about 4,050 tons—of pills.

According to a news release, studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, health officials say that the usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash —pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 28 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.

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