Take Back Prescription Drug Day To Be Held April 28

On Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be held all over the country and in Newport County.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Portsmouth, Tiverton, Newport, Little Compton, Middletown and Jamestown Police Departments and the Substances Abuse Prevention Task Forces and Prevention Coalitions in every community are partnering a “Take- Back" initiative to prevent increased pill abuse.  

On Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the DEA will be collecting unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at all the local police stations. This service is free and with no questions asked, anonymous!

Prescription drug abuse caused 15,000 deaths in the United States last year.

• 70% of people, age 12 and older, who abuse prescription drugs say they get them from friends
• Non-prescribed prescription drug abuse is a growing trend
• The insurance companies costs for loss due to prescription drug abuse is $15 billion a year!

 What can a parent do?

Think about your home. What prescription and over the counter drugs do you have? Where are they kept? Would you know if some were missing? 

• Safeguard all drugs at home. Monitor quantities and control access
• Set clear rules for teens about all drug use, including not sharing medicine and always following the medical provider’s dosages
• Be a good role model by following these same rules with your own medicines
• Properly dispose of old or unused medicines
• Ask friends and family to safeguard their prescription drugs as well

Join us on April 28 and turn in those old unused, outdated prescription drugs at your local police station and do something that can help keep our kids safe.  We are all in this together!

Ray D. Davis  Coordinator Portsmouth Prevention Coalition& Newport Subsatnce Abuse Prevention Task Force Rebecca Elwell Coordinator Tiverton & Little Compton Prevention Coalitions Laura Hosley Coordinator Jamestown Prevention Coalition Lori Verdeosa Coordinator Middletown Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force