The Home Page Network

Saturday, April 27 was National Drug Take Back Day. This day represents and addresses a crucial public safety and health issue. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The National Drug Take Back Day states, “the study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.”

On Friday, April 26, Matt Baker joined PA State Representative Clint Owlett, PA Supreme Court Justice Sallie Mundy, and Wellsboro Police Department Chief of Police Jim Bodine to bring awareness of this annual event and to encourage the community to practice safety every day of the year by disposing of their unneeded medications and pills. These events make a point of highlighting collection sites for anonymous and safe disposal.

“It’s an annual event that’s promoted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency,” said Baker. “There’s over 6,000 sites across America. Even though it’s celebrated and advertised twice a year, really every day we try to promote National Drug Take Back Day.”

Spreading awareness and educating the community about this opportunity is important, according to PA State Representative Owlett.

“It’s friends telling friends, neighbors telling neighbors about these drop boxes,” said Owlett. “And also talking about the drug abuse that’s happening in our area. People want to help. This epidemic has affected everybody’s lives. And this is something practical that you can do. Go through your medicine cabinet, find your expired prescription drugs that are outdated or unused and drop them off. That’s a huge step in the right direction.”

If you would like to know more about National Drug Take Back Day, visit their website listed here.