11 Locations in Dallas to turn in expired or unwanted prescription drugs on Saturday

DALLAS – On April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the public will have an opportunity to prevent medicine abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. This Prescription Drug Take Back event is hosted in collaboration with The Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse, the Dallas Area Drug Prevention Partnership, Dallas Police Department (DPD), Dallas ISD Police Department, University Park Police Department, Highland Park Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

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—pose potential safety and health hazards.

When the results of the four Take-Back Days to date are combined, the DEA and its state, local, and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have removed more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of medication from circulation.

DALLAS COLLECTION SITES: 

12th Step Ministry  5324 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas

University Park Fire Station 3800 University Blvd., University Park

Wal-Mart 3155 W. Wheatland Rd., Dallas

Dallas Fire Station #19 5600 E. Grand Ave., Dallas

Highland Park DPS  4700 Drexel Dr., Highland Park

Southwest Center Mall 3662 W. Camp Wisdom Rd., Dallas

Richland College 12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas

Dallas Police Northeast Patrol 9915 E. Northwest Hwy., Dallas

Dallas Police North Central Patrol, 6969 McCallum Blvd., Dallas

Dallas Police Southeast Patrol, 725 N. Jim Miller Rd., Dallas

Dallas Police Southwest Patrol 4230 W. Illinois, Dallas