Prescription Drug Take Back Day: Where To Go In Perry Hall

PERRY HALL, MD — Prescription drug abuse often starts with a legal prescription, and the majority of drug abusers say they get their drugs from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The agency is working with law enforcement agencies across the country for National Drug Take Back Day, including in Baltimore County.

The drug take back event aims to prevent prescription drug abuse by giving people a chance to dispose of potentially dangerous drugs with no questions asked.

"I urge parents and guardians to take inventory of their medicine cabinet," Dr. Gregory William Branch, health director for Baltimore County, said in a statement.

He encouraged people to secure medications that were genuinely needed. Otherwise, they can be tossed out at drug take-back events.

"When we don’t take these necessary precautions, we could inadvertently open the gateway to addiction," Branch said.

Saturday is your chance to dispose of unused drugs safely in Baltimore County before they end up in the wrong hands.

The Baltimore County Police Department will collect unused prescription drugs at these 10 drop boxes at precincts year-round:

• White Marsh - 8220 Perry Hall Boulevard
• Essex - 216 North Marlyn Avenue
• Parkville - 8532 Old Harford Road
• Cockeysville - 111 Wight Avenue
• Dundalk – 428 Westham Way
• Franklin - 606 Nicodemus Road
• Pikesville - 215 Milford Mill Road
• Towson - 115 W. Susquehanna Avenue
• Wilkens - 901 Walker Avenue
• Woodlawn - 6424 Windsor Mill Road

People may also drop off medications to the Golden Ring Barrack at 8908 Kelso Drive and other Maryland State Police Barracks.

To participate in the drug drop-off event is free and anonymous. All pills will be accepted, but liquids, needles and sharps can’t be taken during this event. The Environmental Protection Agency offers guidance on disposing of sharps and other medical waste. The Food and Drug Administration offers tips on getting rid of liquid medicines that are expired or no longer needed.

Baltimore County has the second highest number of overdose deaths in Maryland after Baltimore City, according to the state health department. There were 348 people who died from opioid-related overdoses in Baltimore County, up from 323 in 2017, Baltimore County reported.

“Each overdose death means the loss of a son, daughter, mother, father, brother, sister, neighbor and friend. We have a moral imperative to do everything within our power to respond to this devastating epidemic,” County Executive Olszewski said. “This day — and every day — is take back day in Baltimore County and we urge residents to dispose of their medications and help save lives.”"

It’s not just opioids that pose dangers. Expired prescription drugs can be less effective or risky due to changes over time in chemical composition. Some expired medications are at risk of bacterial growth, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Expired antibiotics may not treat infections, leading to more serious illnesses and antibiotic resistance, the DEA said.