BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue.
Some 6.2 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs, according to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The study shows that most abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
The Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths. “Don’t be the accidental dealer.”
The Bowling Green – Warren County Drug Task Force will participate for the twelfth year with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s prescription drug “Take-Back” campaign.
Over 5,250 sites nationwide have joined the effort that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft.
Government, community, public health and law enforcement partners will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at these sites all across the nation on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
The three collection points in Bowling Green will be at the Bowling Green Police Department, 911 Kentucky Street, operated by Drug Task Force and Bowling Green Police; Kentucky State Police, Post 3 at 3119 Nashville Road, in Bowling Green; and 999 Lauren Avery Drive, Warren County Household Hazardous Waste Day, prescription drug takeback operated by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.
The Lauren Avery location will operate from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
To help combat the continued vaping health crisis across the country, DEA and participating agencies will be collecting vaping pens and cartridges at NTBI collection sites.