DRBA Police Joins with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to Participate in National Take-Back Initiative (NTBI)
(New Castle, DE) On Saturday, October 26, 2013, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), working with Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Police Department as well as state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, will be conducting its seventh National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The National Take Back Day, which focuses on removing potentially dangerous drugs from our nation’s homes, provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceuticals and other medications to law enforcement officers for proper disposal.
According to Col. Rick Arroyo, Police Administrator for the Authority, the program is absolutely anonymous. “No questions or requests for identification will be made by law enforcement personnel present,” Arroyo said. “In fact, participants will be asked to remove any personal information from bottles or packages.” Arroyo added that the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides for numerous collection sites throughout the area. The goal is the proper, safe disposal of all types of controlled, non-controlled, and over the counter medications – including pills, liquids and creams. No syringes please.
When: October 26, 2013, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: The DRBA Police Department has established the following three collection sites: Vincent A. Julia Center lobby adjacent to the Delaware Memorial Bridge Toll Plaza, Conjunction of I-295 and U.S. Route 9; New Castle, DE 19720; Cape May Ferry Terminal; 1200 Lincoln Blvd; Cape May, NJ 08204 and Lewes Ferry Terminal; 43 Cape Henlopen Drive; Lewes, DE 19958
This initiative addresses a vital 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. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
According to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs. According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs daily to get high for the first time. Information about the April event, including a link to locate a collection site near you, will be posted on the DEA website, www.dea.gov or you may call 215-238-5172 (Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware).
About the Delaware River and Bay Authority
The Delaware River and Bay Authority, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Delaware City – Salem Ferry Crossing. The Authority also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (New Castle Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All agency operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.
###
