JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Joint Base Charleston is scheduled to participate in The U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at the Joint Base Charleston - Air Base Exchange and JB Charleston - Weapons Station Navy Exchange Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day promotes public wellness by giving the community a safe way to properly dispose of any expired or unused prescription drugs.
"This is the first year JB Charleston is taking part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day," said Selwyn Stephens, 628th Air Base Wing Drug Demand Reduction Program manager.
According to the DEA website, more than 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time. Studies also show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.
"Teenagers sometimes steal prescription medication from their families," said Stephens. "They have parties where they put all the pills in a pile and randomly take them."
"Prescription drugs falling into the wrong hands isn't the only danger," said Stephens. "Flushing prescription drugs down the toilet can also be dangerous. Studies have shown 80 percent of U.S. streams contain small traces of medicines that were unable to be removed by sewage systems."
"Properly disposing expired or unused prescription drugs keeps them out of our water supply and the hands of drug abusers," said Stephens.
Visit
www.dea.gov or call 800-882-9539 for more information.