MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at several locations across Monongalia County.
Spokesman for the United States Drug Enforcement Agency Kevin McWilliams said nationwide they expect to collect hundreds of thousands of pounds of unused or expired medications. In West Virginia, that number number could top 5,000 this year.
“Last year we collected nearly 600,000 pounds and in West Virginia we took in about 4,300 pounds,” McWilliams said.
According to McWilliams, many addiction issues begin with unsecured medication in the home and this is a way to prevent your family from becoming a statistic.
“That small step can have a big impact on community health,” McWilliams said. “We know often times the road to opioid abuse begins at the home medicine cabinet.”
Collection sites will accept tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container with the cap tightly sealed. Vaping devices and cartridges will be accepted as long as lithium batteries are removed.
Collection sites do not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs.
“What we’re looking for is medications, everything is anonymous,” McWilliams said. “Just bundle it up, drop it off and we’re going to dispose of it in a safe manner.”
In Monongalia County, unwanted or expired prescription drugs can be dropped off at Kroger locations, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, Morgantown Police Department, Pierpont Landing Pharmacy, Mon General Hospital, and Heritage Point.
“Log on to DEA-Take-Back-DOT-COM and you’ll get a list of collection sites near you,” McWilliams said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts 14,675 people died last year of prescription opioid poisoning or overdose.