The Cary Police Department will be joining thousands of other law enforcement agencies participating in the next Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) "National Take Back Initiative" on Saturday, October 22, from 10am - 2pm.
The Take Back Initiative allows residents to drop off old, unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs at the police station to be properly disposed of. Please note that no syringes or liquids will be accepted.
Studies show that teens often abuse prescription drugs from other family members or friends - drugs that should have been disposed of. Often people dispose of unused drugs by throwing them in the trash or flushing them down the drain - both of which are a mistake, as flushed drugs contaminate the water supply.
In May of this year, the DEA and over 4,200 of its state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners collected 893,498 pounds of unwanted medicines-about 447 tons-at almost 5,400 sites spread through all 50 states, beating its previous high of 390 tons in the spring of 2014 by 57 tons, or more than 114,000 pounds.
Personnel will be available at the Cary Police Department to accept prescription drug drop-offs during the above hours.
The Police Department also has a permanent drug drop off container in the lobby of the Police Station if residents are unable to attend this event.