Prescription Drug Disposal Day Scheduled for Saturday

The Lexington County Sheriff's Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Dept. of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Agency, will conduct a "National Prescription Drug Take Back Day" this Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow county residents to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

Persons can drop off their prescription drugs at the sheriff's department headquarters, located at 521 Gibson Road in Lexington.

"National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue," states DOJ's Office of Diversion Control Web site. 

"More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health," the Web site states. "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."

According to the DEA, nearly, 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in National Prescription Drug Take Back Days on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 and April 25, 2011. The result: Authorities nationwide collected more than 309 tons of pills.