TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The DEA has announced a National Prescription Drug Take-Back Event will occur 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 23.
Drug Free Vigo County Coalition, in partnership with Terre Haute City Police Department, Indiana Excise Police and Chances And Services for Youth, will host the local Drug Take Back Day to collect unused or expired medications for safe disposal.
Police, pharmacists and coalition volunteers will collect prescription drugs from Meadows Shopping Center parking lot, located at 2800 Poplar Street in Terre Haute, Ind.
Drivers can pull up, stay in their vehicles and a volunteer will come to the window for easy drop off.
In addition to collecting prescription medications, the coalition is offering on-site free, confidential paper shredding from Data Management Shredding.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports over 10 million Americans misuse controlled prescription drugs. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States 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.
Locally, Terre Haute officers collect nearly 200 pounds of prescription drugs during each Drug Take Back which is conducted in April and October each year.
