TAMIU UPD Joins DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) University Police Department joined the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Drug Take Back Day Saturday, October 29 at the Student Center lobby from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
TAMIU Chief of Police Cordelia G. Perez said the event provided all members of the community an annual opportunity to safely dispose of unneeded prescription medications.
“Unneeded prescription medications are those that are old, unwanted, or no longer needed. Sadly, the majority of opioid addictions start with prescription pills found in medicine cabinets at home, and so this is a public safety issue. Too often, these medications are a gateway to addiction,” Chief Perez explained, “Our University Police Department (UPD) is proud to have joined in this great opportunity to safely dispose of unneeded medication, and encourage everyone to clean out their medicine cabinets and help advance improved public health and safety.”
Robert B. Kennedy, Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the DEA Laredo District Office, concurred.
“ ‘Takeback’ highlights our commitment to make communities safer and healthier, in an effort to reverse the devastating trends of drug poisoning deaths and drug-related violence. These efforts are manifested through community action to remove unneeded prescription drugs from all homes,” Kennedy said, “These events offer free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at over 4000 local drop-off locations nationwide, to include the partnered location with TAMIU UPD.
“DEA is committed to making our communities safer and healthier in collaboration with TAMIU UPD, in the prevention of medication misuse which often results in opioid addiction and drug poisoning deaths,” he concluded.
For additional information, contact TAMIU UPD at 956.326.2100, or visit https://www.tamiu.edu/adminis/police
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.
To learn more about the safe disposal of prescription drugs, visit the DEA’s website at www.DEA.gov.
