From Harford County government:
On Saturday, April 27, 2013, Harford County once again participated in the Nationwide Prescription Drug Take Back Day with great success. Over five hundred individuals participated in the event, resulting in 1,782 pounds of unused and expired medicines being turned in to be properly disposed of and destroyed. This effort will significantly help in addressing the alarming rate of drug overdoses relating 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. Locally in the first six months of 2012 86% 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 who participated in the prescription drug take back events. “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.”
The Harford County Department of Community Services Office of Drug Control Policy staff, Sheriff Office Deputies, the Havre de Grace Police Department, and Maryland State Troopers worked hand in hand with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agents to coordinate the local event to address the devastation that local prescription drug abuse is having in Harford County. Carl Kotowski, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA Baltimore Office, also participated with the event and hopes that other jurisdictions mirror Harford County’s effort in prescription drug take back initiatives.
Joseph Ryan, manager for the Office of Drug Control Policy, hopes the Prescription Take Back events enhance the level of awareness concerning the dangers of prescription drug abuse, especially among our youth.
The next Drug Take Back event will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2013 from 7:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. on the parking lot behind the A.A. Roberty School Board building, located at 102 S. Hickory Avenue.
For more information about prescription drug abuse contact the Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy at odcp@harfordcountymd.gov or 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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