JB MDL offers program to collect unwanted prescription drugs Published April 20, 2012 By 87th Medical Group Pharmacy JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J -- The National Take Back Initiative is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Exchange and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tommy B's Community Activities Center April 28. This one-day initiative, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration provides a venue for people to safely dispose of unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs. Many people are not aware that medicines left at home are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, according to the DEA. Approximately 2,500 teens each day use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends and even the home medicine cabinet. The take back program discourages people from flushing drugs down their toilets by providing a responsible outlet for drug disposal. Drugs improperly disposed of end up in rivers and lakes where they harm aquatic life and contaminate water supply according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules will be accepted at the event. Intra-venous solutions, injectables and needles will not be accepted. Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative. The first National Take Back initiative was held, September 25, 2010 and had approximately 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated. The American public turned in more than 121 tons of pills that day according to the DEA. A similar program in 2009 titled "Operation Medicine Cabinet" was launched to combat the growing problem. More than 400 police departments and other law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey helped collect 9,000 pounds of old, un-wanted pills, pain killers, anti-depressants and other medications in an effort to keep teens from looting their parents' medicine cabinets. "Last year Air Force pharmacies dispensed more than 15 million prescriptions to its beneficiaries," said Lt. Col. Glenn Laird, the 87 Medical Group Pharmacy Flight Commander. "As a result of changing health conditions, drug allergies or adverse drug reactions, our beneficiaries end up with partially used prescriptions filling their medicine cabinets. By getting rid of these items at this event, our homes and community becomes safer and it ensures that medications are properly disposed of to minimize any impact to the environment." The 87th MDG, encourages everyone to take part in this worthwhile endeavor to safeguard Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst's families against unintentional over use or abuse of these potentially fatal medications.