Mayor Jorge Elorza today announced that the City will hold its Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, an effort that aims to reduce prescription drug misuse by collecting unused and expired drugs from residents, this Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
“Having unused and expired prescription medications at home presents a very alarming risk for families across the city that must be addressed,” said Mayor Elorza. “I’m proud that this Saturday, Providence will join a vast coalition of communities to provide residents a way to safely discard these drugs. I encourage everyone to visit their nearest take-back site.”
Take-backs will be held at two locations: Walgreens at 533 Elmwood Avenue (corner of Reservoir Avenue) and the Providence Public Safety Complex at 325 Washington Street. The Walgreens location, in partnership with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, will also hold a health fair featuring a naloxone awareness table, blood pressure screenings, and special giveaways.
The Mayor was joined in announcing the Take-Back Day and encouraging resident participation by Kevin Eaton, Group Supervisor for the US Drug Enforcement Agency; Elizabeth Farrar, Associate Administrator and Prevention Coordinator for the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals; Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., Chief of the Providence Police Department; Peter Asen, Acting Director of the City’s Healthy Communities Office; and Jose Garcia, District Manager for Walgreens.
Providence residents who cannot make it to Saturday’s take-back can drop off unused and expired medications any time at a bin in the Providence Public Safety Complex, as well as a newly installed permanent bin at the Walgreens Pharmacy on Elmwood Avenue during regular store hours.
Take backs will be happening throughout the state and region on Saturday, with locations listed on the Drug Enforcement Agency’s home page: www.DEA.gov.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.