DANVILLE POLICE

News release

The Danville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 12th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs later this month.

A drug Take Back Day event will be held Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can bring pills for disposal to the Danville Police Department and Danville City Hall, 445 W. Main St.

The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps; it can only accept pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous and no questions will be asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 11 previous take-back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in more than 6.4 million pounds of pills.

This initiative addresses a public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Some methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 22 Take Back Day event, visit the DEA Diversion website at deadiversion.usdoj.gov.