TAMIU Joins 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, Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the west side parking lot, in front of the Student Center.

Rosario Benavides, TAMIU College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing project manager, said that the designated TAMIU location is a convenient way to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs.

“We encourage the community to bring pills that are destined for disposal,” Benavides said, “The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. This service is free and anonymous, and no questions will be asked,” Benavides said.

Benavides explained that the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing supports this important DEA initiative.

“This addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” Benavides said, “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.”

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, Benavides said.

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, Benavides said.

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 Department Administration Building - 616 E. Del Mar;  Laredo Public Library - 1120 E. Calton Road; M.S. Ryan Elementary School - 2401 Clark Boulevard; San Martin Church - 1704 Sandman Street;  Martin High School/Shirley Field - 2002 San Bernardo Avenue; San Martin de Porres Church – 1704 Sandman Street; Laredo College South Campus– 5500 Zapata Highway and the Zapata Courthouse - 200 E. 7th Avenue.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Saturday, April 27 Pill Take Back Day event, visit the DEA website at www.DEA.gov.

TAMIU offices will close at noon on Friday, April 19, 2019 as part of an authorized, Good Friday observance holiday release.

Classes will be suspended and University offices closed. The Sue and Radcliffe

Killam Library will also close Friday. It will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sunday, April 21.

Classes and office hours will resume Monday, April 22 at 8 a.m.

More of the University’s story is available on its website, tamiu.edu, and on its dedicated social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.