Every year, tens of thousands of Americans die from drug overdoses. Illegal substances account for many of these deaths. However, the source is often a prescription drug instead. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was created to address this aspect of the problem. Taking part in Take-Back Day can reduce your exposure to prescription drug abuse and addiction. If you’re already affected by this serious problem, a prescription drug addiction treatment program will help you recover.Â
Prescription Drug Use and Misuse
Tens of millions of Americans use prescription drugs each year. Most of these people are legitimate users. Remember that they also follow their doctors’ instructions. This is an important safety measure for all prescription medications. In fact, it protects you from overdoses and severe side effects. In the case of certain medications, it also protects you from becoming addicted. Prescription drugs capable of triggering addiction include:
- Opioid pain relievers
- Sedatives and tranquilizers
- Amphetamine and other kinds of stimulants
When it comes to addictive medications, prescription drug use all too often becomes drug misuse. Acts of misuse include taking more of your medication than prescribed and/or taking it more often. You also misuse a medication when you take it simply to feel its intoxicating effects. In addition, misuse occurs when you take expired medication. Another common form of misuse is taking a medication prescribed to another person or bought illegally.Â
National Drug Take-Back Day Basics
National Drug Take-Back Day is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration or DEA. There are actually two Take-Back events each year. One takes place in April, while the other takes place in October. The explicit goal of both events is to reduce the number of prescription drug overdoses.
Cities across the country take part in Take-Back Day. They do this by hosting collection sites where you can turn in medication that is any of the following:
- Expired
- UnusedÂ
- UnwantedÂ
The medication in question may be prescribed. However, you can also turn in over-the-counter (OTC) medications. In addition, you can typically turn in vitamins and pet medications. Take-Back locations also accept e-cigarettes and cartridges.
You can’t set up a Take-Back collection site on your own. Only the DEA can authorize a site to operate. In many cities, authorized drop-off points stay open between Take-Back events. There is no charge for dropping off medications at a collection site. In addition, these sites maintain a policy of anonymity and don’t ask questions about the medications you turn in.Â
Things You Can’t Turn In on National Drug Take-Back Day
Some items cannot be turned in at a Take-Back site. For example, you can’t turn in street drugs. You also can’t turn in marijuana, which is not legal at a federal level. In addition, you can’t turn in an illegally purchased medication.
Other ineligible items include needles, syringes, inhalers, thermometers that contain mercury, and aerosol cans. In addition, you can’t turn in any medication that contains iodine. Contact the collection site you plan to use for a full list of forbidden items. It’s best to do this before Take-Back Day.
Seek Prescription Drug Use Treatment at New Start Recovery
Hopefully, National Drug Take-Back Day will help you avoid problems with addiction. If you’re already affected by addiction, New Start Recovery can help. We feature the detox services needed to stop misusing prescription drugs.Â
We also feature a comprehensive prescription drug treatment program. Regardless of the medication in question, this program supports lasting sobriety and recovery. That’s true whether the source of the problem is an opioid, stimulant, or sedative. Call us today at [Direct] for more information on our prescription drug program. We’re also available through our online form.