Residents Can Dispose Prescription Medications During National Take-Back Day

Have old prescription or over-the-counter medications at home? Although many people throw old medications in the trash, it's actually not the best way to dispose of them.

On Sept. 25, area residents will have the opportunity to take old medications to the Christian Life Center off Taylor Road to turn in meds they no longer use or are expired.

Riverdale Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers said the National Take-Bake Initiative is a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration program that removes potentially dangerous controlled substances from homes.

"If you have meds you can place them all in a bag and drop them off," Chambers said Monday at the town council work session. "No questions will be asked."

She said the dangers of prescription medication drug abuse for adults and teenagers have grown over the last decade.

"Teens have these things called pharm parties when they fill a bowl with various medications and take them," Chambers said.

According to the DEA, collection activities will take place from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at sites established throughout the country. Other country sites are listed in Hyattsville, College Park and Laurel.

Prescription and over-the-counter tablets and capsules will be accepted, however, intra-venous, injectables and needles won't be accepted. Illicit substances and marijuana are not a part of this initiative.

Chambers said a Riverdale Park police officer would be on site to guard the collection, until it is packed and sent to the incinerator.