People may drop off their expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at two convenient UTEP sites.
The unwanted drugs may be left at 1101 N. Campbell St. (the Campbell Building) and 2950 Sun Bowl Drive (the R2 parking lot next to the University Police headquarters). Only pills and patches will be accepted. Please do not bring liquids, needles or sharps. The service is free and anonymous. No questions will be asked.
This effort is a collaboration of The University of Texas at El Paso and the U.S. Department of Justice – Drug Enforcement Administration. It comes on the heels of other successful “Take Back” events where more than 7.1 million pounds of pills have been collected nationally by the DEA and its community partners and disposed of through the years.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. 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. In addition, Americans have been advised that their usual methods for medicine disposal – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – pose potential safety and health hazards.
Information: University Police, 915-747-6640