If you have unused or old prescriptions in your house, there is a risk they could be diverted and abused.
Overdose from prescription pain killers is now the leading cause of accidental deaths in the country, surpassing vehicle accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The abuse of prescription medications has reached epidemic proportions.
Providing a safe and environmentally responsible method of reducing the amount of unwanted medications in local households is an important tool in the fight against prescription drug abuse.
The Wake Forest Police Department recently installed a drug collection unit or drop-off box at the Brooks Street Substation at 221 Brooks Street, the original town hall that is next to Centennial Plaza.
The police department received the free drop-off unit through a grant from CVS/pharmacy’s Medication Disposal for Safer Communities Program. CVS/pharmacy teamed up with The Partnership at Drugfree.org to donate up to 1,000 drug collection units to law enforcement agencies nationwide. The Wake Forest Police Department completed the grant application in June, was approved a short time later and received the unit in late November.
Citizens are encouraged to drop off unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications during normal business hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Items that will be accepted include prescription pills or patches, ointments, vitamins and over-the-counter medications. Items not accepted include liquids of any kind, aerosol cans, inhalers, needles and thermometers.
Participants can help law enforcement officials properly identify and record the medications by disposing expired, unused or unwanted medicine in their original container with the drug label intact. All of the medications collected will be secured by the police department and destroyed by incineration.
