The North Richland Hills Police Department will be partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration in the national “Take Back” initiative this Saturday, April 28, 2012. The initiative provides the public an opportunity to safely discard prescription medication for proper destruction. The program is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that sit in home cabinets have a high chance of misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. In addition, many people do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away, both of which are potential safety and health hazards.

The public may dispose of any unused, expired and unwanted prescription drugs (inhalers, syringes and liquid medication will not be accepted) in a safe manner by bringing them to the front driveway of the North Richland Hills Fire Department Administration building, located at 7202 Dick Fisher Drive, on Saturday, April 28, 2012 between the hours of 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.