National Medication Take Back Day is Saturday, April 24, 2021

National Medication Take Back Day will be held at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, 3 County Center,Carmel, NY 10512 on Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 10:00am – 2:00pm.

The event is facilitated by The Putnam Communities That Care Coalition, in partnership with the Putnam County Department of Health, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. The bi-annual event follows the National DEA Medication Take Back Day, held in April and October. The p potentially dangerous prescription medications at the Putnam Sheriff’s Department’s collection site, which will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.

In 2020, the DEA collected a record-high amount of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription medications, with the public turning in close to 500 tons of unwanted drugs. Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs. With studies indicating a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, clearing out unused medicine is essential. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period. The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.

Tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs will be accepted. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, WILL NOT be accepted. DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop off locations provided lithium batteries are removed. The Putnam Communities That Care Coalition will also be offering Deterra Drug Deactivation bags and resources to all attendees.

The Putnam Communities that Care Coalition is facilitating the HEALing Communities Study, with the overall goal of reducing opioid overdose deaths in Putnam County by 40% over a three period. Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way Putnam County is working to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths. '

For more information on the HEALing Communities Study, please log on to www.HealTogetherNY.org/Putnam or visit the Prevention Council of Putnam at https://preventioncouncilputnam.org