TAMIU to Participate in DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Saturday
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) will be one of 10 Laredo sites participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back this Saturday, October 27, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the west side parking lot in front of TAMIU Student Center on campus.
This is the 16thopportunity that the DEA has offered the National Drug Take Back over the past nine years, helping to prevent pill abuse and theft, according to the DEA.
The DEA indicates that last October, Americans turned in 450 tons (over 900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 14 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills.
The DEA maintains that studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash— pose potential safety and health hazards.
In addition to TAMIU, other collection sites are scheduled at the following locations in Laredo, Cotulla, and Zapata, TX:
KGNS-TV - 120 W Del Mar Boulevard
Laredo Fire Depart. Admin Bldg. - 616 E. Del Mar Boulevard
Laredo Public Library - 1120 E. Calton Road
Gateway Community Health Center, 1515 Pappas
Ryan Elementary - 2401 Clark Boulevard
San Martin Church - 1704 Sandman Street
Martin High School/Shirley Field - 2002 San Bernardo Avenue
Cotulla Courthouse -101 Courthouse Sq. Cotulla, TX
Zapata County Pavilion- 23rdAve. and Glenn St. Zapata, TX
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Saturday, October 27 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEA.gov