From Harford County government:
On Saturday, September 25 from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Harford County participated in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Prescription Drug Take Back initiative. The drop-off locations were at the county office building in Bel Air and the Havre De Grace Police Department. More than 300 individuals participated in the event which resulted in nearly 700 pounds of old and unused medicines being turned in for safe disposal.
The purpose of the nationwide event was to help address the alarming rate of drug overdoses related to prescription and over the counter medicines. Nationally an estimated 6.2 million Americans over the age of 12 years old reported misusing prescription drugs last month.
Locally over the past five years 55% of the drug and alcohol overdose deaths of Harford County residents were related to prescription drug overdoses.
Harford County Executive David Craig stopped by the Bel Air drop-off location and observed citizens turning in pounds of powerful unused medicines. The County Executive expressed his appreciation for citizens’ support of the event by turning in unused and outdated drugs that may have caused harm to youngsters thatmight abuse prescription drugs and over the counter medications.
Health Officer Susan Kelly also stopped by during the event and was excited about the community’s participation in this first ever nationwide drug take-back program.
Sheriff L. Jesse Bane also participated in this DEA initiative and commented that the event was the result of the great working relations between agencies. The Sheriff was also pleased that Harford County citizens turned out to participate in this event.
The Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy coordinated the event to address the devastation that local prescription drug abuse is having in Harford County.
For more information about this prescription drug abuse please contact the Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy via email at odcp@harfordcountymd.gov or by phone at 410-638-3333.
The Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy is a division within the Department of Community Services. The Harford County Department of Community Services was established in 1979 via Executive Order and works daily to meet the needs of our seniors, youth, persons with disabilities and those struggling to overcome addiction. The Department works with federal, state, local and private agencies to ensure our county continues to evolve and remains dedicated to providing the best possible services for our citizens and community.
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