TAMIU to Participate in DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Saturday
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU)will be one of seven Laredo sites participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back, Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.in front of the TAMIU Student Center, west side parking lot.
Rosario Benavides, who is coordinating the event with the University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing, said that the TAMIU location is a convenient way to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs.
“Bring your pills for disposal. The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked,” Benavides said.
This is the 15thopportunity that the DEA has offered the National Drug Take Back over the past eight 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.
Benavides explained that the partnering Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing supports this important DEA initiative.
“This addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs,” she noted.
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, Texas:
KGNS-TV - 120 W Del Mar Boulevard
Laredo Fire Depart. Admin Bldg. - 616 E. Del Mar Boulevard
Laredo Public Library - 1120 E. Calton Road
Ryan Elementary - 2401 Clark Boulevard
San Martin Church - 1704 Sandman Street
Martin High School/Shirley Field - 2002 San Bernardo Avenue
Cotulla Courthouse – 101 Courthouse Square, Cotulla
Zapata Courthouse - 200 E. 7th Avenue, Zapata
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Saturday, April 28 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEA.gov website.