National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative at Sheppard AFB

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SHEPPARD AFB, Texas --  The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration will coordinate a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies Oct. 29, focused on removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation's medicine cabinets.

Sheppard personnel will be able to drop off leftover and expired prescribed and over-the-counter medicines at Balfour Beatty's Freedom Estates Office or AAFES Main Store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sheppard AFB 82nd Security Forces and Wichita Falls Police D.A.R.E. program staff will be closely assisting during the collection period. All collected drugs will be removed from the office at the end of the event and safely disposed of by law enforcement officials.

Safely disposing of leftover drugs dramatically reduces the risk of drug abuse and accidental poisonings. Statistics show that drug abuse among teens and accidental poisoning of young children are is higher in states that do not have drug disposal program. Proper drug disposal also protects against environmental pollution, as drugs are being found in our water systems.

"Once we learned of the statistics of the problems leftover medicines can cause and the importance of getting them out of the homes, we wanted to do something," said Katrina Walker, LifeWorks Coordinator for Balfour Beatty Communities at Sheppard AFB.

There are many reasons why people have leftover prescription medicines. A doctor may change a patient's medicine to find one that's better for them. Large amounts of medicines are often leftover after a serious illness or after the death of a family member. Over-the-counter medicines can expire and also need to be properly handled and disposed of safely.

"A medicine take-back program gets potentially dangerous leftover and expired drugs out of our homes and out of the environment," said Walker. "I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of their medicines."

Leftover and expired medicines can be dropped off at Balfour Beatty Communities' Freedom Estate office located at 102 Falcon, across from Hospital Gate at Sheppard AFB, or at the AAFES Main Store, Bldg. 239, on Sheppard AFB, Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement worked together to bring in 242,000 pounds of drugs during the National Take Back Initiative. Of that number, the North Texas region was responsible for bring in 7,500 pounds.

Facts about the drop off:
· This program is anonymous.

· Participants may dispose of medication in its original container or by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box.

· No effort will be made by law enforcement personnel to count, inventory or log medications.

· All solid dosage pharmaceutical product and liquids in consumer containers will be accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The depositor should ensure that the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

· Intra-venous solutions, injectibles and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.

· Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers. If an individual attempts to surrender an illicit controlled substance, law enforcement personnel will handle such material as abandoned property in accordance with department policy.

· A law enforcement officer will remain with the drug disposal box at all times.