National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Cancelled; Keep medications safely secured during pandemic shut down

CHESTERTOWN – Proper medication storage is important during the pandemic shut-down as take-back events across the country scheduled for April are cancelled.

Each year, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) schedules two nationwide prescription drug take-back days, one in October and a second in April. The events promote proper medication disposal and help prevent misuse of prescriptions, such as opioids and other powerful drugs.

This year’s event, originally scheduled for April 25, 2020, as well as other local law enforcement take-back events, did not happen due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Medication safety and proper storage always is important, and particularly while unused medications may sit forgotten instead of going to a drug drop box.

“During this very difficult time, all citizens are asked to safeguard their medications and make every effort to limit access to any children or other family members,” said Kent County Sheriff John Price. “At the moment citizens are asked to stay at home. Please plan to bring your unwanted medications to one of the three (3) drop box locations once the stay at home order has been relaxed.”

Kent County has three 24-hour prescription drug drop box locations: Kent County Sheriff’s office; Rock Hall police department and Chestertown police department. While the state remains under a stay-at-home order, residents are encouraged to keep any unused medication that is slotted for disposal safely secured.

Here are a few simple tips for preventing medication misuse at home:

1. Make sure the safety cap is locked.

2. Put your medications away every time, preferably in a locked cabinet, box or other storage container.

3. Talk with your children about medication safety.

4. Know the number for poison control: 800-222-1222. You can program this into your phone.

5. Remember to dispose of unused medications once you’re able.

Once the stay-at-home order is lifted, please take any expired or unused medications to a drop box near you. Or, call the Kent County Behavioral Health Prevention Office for a drug deactivation bag, called Deterra, which are available for free. For Deterra bags, or more information on preventing the use of alcohol and other drugs, contact Annette Duckery, Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention Coordinator for KCBH, at 410-778-7918.

The Kent County Behavioral Health Prevention Office helps community groups, agencies and individuals in providing programs and activities to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse, and to build a healthier community.

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~ Kent County Behavior Health Prevention Office