DOVER – To improve safety in our homes and communities, the Division of Public Health (DPH), the Medical Society of Delaware, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the 12th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day for Saturday, April 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For a link to the temporary and permanent collection sites, visit: http://dhss.delaware.gov/DPH/hsp/hhdrugtakeback.html.

Delawareans can anonymously discard their expired and unused medicines at designated collection sites in each county. Identification is not required, and no questions will be asked. Collection sites will accept prescription and over-the-counter pills, liquid medications, cream medications, and pet medications. No syringes or inhalers will be accepted.

“Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in their home cabinets are highly susceptible to illegal diversion, misuse, and abuse,” said Gary Tuggle, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Philadelphia Field Division. “I am encouraging the public of Delaware to take full advantage of this free service that the DEA offers to safely dispose of their unwanted or expired prescription medicine.”

National studies show that more than two-thirds of people who misuse prescription drugs get them from friends and family, including raiding medicine cabinets, purses, and drawers. Properly disposing of expired and unused medicines prevents prescription drug misuse, which leads to overdoses and addiction. Overdoses from heroin, prescription painkillers, and other drugs led to the deaths of 171 Delaware residents in 2013, or about one person every other day. According to preliminary numbers, 204 Delawareans died of drug-related deaths in 2014. Persons seeking help for drug addiction can visit http://www.HelpIsHereDE.com to connect with treatment and recovery services. The website also includes warning signs of addiction.

It is harmful to Delaware’s groundwater for unused medicines to be flushed down toilets or put in the trash. Though not at dangerous levels yet, traces of several drugs have been found in private and public water systems throughout Delaware.

Between 2010 and 2015, the 11 Delaware Drug Take-Back events collected 52,002 pounds of drugs. A new collection record was set on the Sept. 12, 2015 Drug Take-Back Day, when Delaware collected 7,227 pounds of drugs.

In addition to the temporary locations, there are now 14 permanent sites at local police departments. The New Castle County Police Department was the first police department in Delaware to establish a permanent medicine collection drop-off box in its lobby.

“Thank you to these 14 police departments who have taken the lead on permanent, safe prescription drug disposal,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Offering constant, safe, and anonymous collection sites can help Delawareans avoid painful addictions, illegal substance use, and tragic overdoses.”

Drugs must be in a container such as a pill bottle, box, blister pack, or zip lock bag. Leave liquid medications in their original containers. Needles, aerosols, biohazardous materials, medical equipment, and batteries will not be accepted. Personal information should be removed from bottles and packages.

Businesses such as medical clinics or pharmacies wishing to dispose of unwanted stock are not permitted to use these drop boxes. These DEA registrants must follow Federal Regulation 21CFR1307.21 for disposal of unwanted stock.

More details are available from DPH at www.DelawareHealthyHomes.org or 800-882-9539, and from the DEA at www.dea.gov/take-back/takeback-news.shtml.

The Drug Take-Back Day collection sites, operating on April 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. are:

New Castle County
Delaware City Police Department
407 Clinton St.
Delaware City, DE 19706

Newark Police Department
220 South Main St.
Newark, DE 19711

Christiana Care Medical Arts Pavilion II
4755 Ogletown Stanton Rd.
Newark, DE 19718

New Castle County Airport
151 N. Dupont Hwy.
New Castle, DE 19720

New Castle County Public Safety Building
3601 N. DuPont Hwy.
New Castle, DE 19720

Frawley Stadium
801 Justison St.
Wilmington, DE 19801

Wilmington VA Medical Center
1601 Kirkwood Hwy.
Wilmington, DE 19805

Shipley Manor Nursing Home
2723 Shipley Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19810

Delaware State Police Troop 2
100 LaGrange Ave.
Newark, DE 19702

Kent County
Dover AFB Commissary
268 Galaxy St.
Dover AFB, DE 19902

Cheswold Police Department
691 Main St.
Cheswold, DE 19904

Heritage at Dover Assisted Living
1203 Walker Rd.
Dover, DE 19904

Camden Police Department
1783 Friends Way
Camden, DE 19934

Felton Delaware Town Hall
24 E. Sewell St.
Felton, DE 19943

Milford Police Department
400 N.E. Front St.
Milford, DE 19963

Atlantic Apothecary
100 S. Main St.
Smyrna, DE 19977

Sussex County
Dagsboro Police Department
33134 Main St.
Dagsboro, DE 19939

Delaware State Police Troop 4
23652 Shortly Rd.
Georgetown, DE 19947

Laurel Police Department
205 Mechanic St.
Laurel, DE 19956

Lewes Municipal Building
114 E. Third St.
Lewes, DE 19958

Ocean View Police Department
201 Central Ave.
Ocean View, DE 19970

Beebe Medical Tunnel Center
18947 John Jay Williams Hwy.
Rehoboth, DE 19971

Rehoboth Beach Police Department
229 Rehoboth Ave.
Rehoboth, DE 19971

CVS Pharmacy
36252 Lighthouse Rd.
Selbyville, DE 19975

Selbyville Town Hall
68 W. Church St.
Selbyville, DE 19975

Bridgeville Fire Department
311 Market St.
Bridgeville, DE 19933

In addition, there are 14 permanent collection sites at:

New Castle County
Newark Police Department
220 S. Main St.
Newark, DE 19711

New Castle County Police Department
3601 N. DuPont Hwy.
New Castle, DE 19720

Wilmington Police Department
300 N. Walnut St.
Wilmington, DE 19801

Kent County
Dover Police Department
400 S. Queen St.
Dover, DE 19904

Smyrna Police Department
325 W. Glenwood Ave.
Smyrna, DE 19977

Felton Police Department
24 E. Sewell St.
Felton, DE 19943

Camden Police Department
1783 Friends Way
Camden, DE 19934

Harrington Police Department
20 Mechanic St.
Harrington, DE 19952

Sussex County
Selbyville Police Department
68 W. Church St.
Selbyville, DE 19975

Greenwood Police Department
100 W. Market St.
Greenwood, DE 19950

Ocean View Police Department
201 Central Ave.
Ocean View, DE 19970

Georgetown Police Department
335 N. Race St.
Georgetown, DE 19947

Laurel Police Department
205 Mechanic St.
Laurel, DE 19956
302-875-2244

Delmar Police Department
400 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Delmar, MD 21875

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

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