Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in Decatur is Oct. 26

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take-Back Day is set for Saturday, Oct. 26, and City of Decatur Police Department is encouraging all residents and business owners to come and safely dispose of any unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs.

This will be the seventh national take-back day, and will be held at thousands of sites all over the country. In the past six take-back events, law enforcement agencies across the country have removed more than 2.8 million pounds (1,409 tons) of prescription medications from circulation.  

Prescription drug abuse is among the fastest-growing drug problems in the country, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. According to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, twice as many Americans regularly abused prescription drugs than the number of those who regularly used cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, and inhalants combined.

This month's event will take place at the the Decatur Police Department, located at 250 East Ponce De Leon Avenue, Suite T-130, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The collection site will be in front of the main entrance to the building off of East Ponce De Leon Avenue.

If you have any questions, please contact Capt. Scott Richards at 404-373-6551.