From Harford County government:
On Saturday November 13, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Harford County participated in the American Medicine Chest Challenge, a National Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative. The drop-off locations were the county office building in Bel Air and the Northern Precinct of the Sheriff’s Office. Over 350 individuals participated in the event which resulted in 1,200 pounds of old and unused medicines being turned in for proper disposal.
The focus of this 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 R. Craig is proud of the citizens that participated in the American Medicine Chest Challenge. “The medicines that were turned in will not get in the hands of someone who could abuse them and the drugs will be disposed of properly, without harm to the environment.”
Sheriff L. Jesse Bane also stopped by and participated in the Prescription Drug Take Back event. Sheriff Bane stated he was proud of the citizens who turned out to participate in this event.
The Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy coordinated the local event to address the devastation that local prescription drug abuse is having in Harford County. This was the second Prescription Drug Take-Back event which took place in Harford County during the past two months. Nearly one ton of old and unused medicines were turned in and destroyed.
Joseph Ryan, the manager for the Office of Drug Control Policy hopes these two Prescription Take Back events enhance the level of awareness concerning the dangers of prescription drug abuse especially among our youth.
For more information about this prescription drug abuse 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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