CASA-Trinity announces Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Prescription drug misuse is a national public health problem; misuse can lead to abuse, addiction, overdose, and even death. Prescription medications can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription. More than 70 percent of teens who abuse prescription drugs say they get them from friends and family members, often from the home medicine cabinet. 

Today, prescription drugs are the most abused drugs after marijuana and alcohol. According to the Prevention Needs Assessment (PNA) survey given to Tioga County students, 12.7 percent of youth surveyed admitted to taking prescription drugs without a doctor’s permission. When asked how easy it would be to get some prescription pain relievers, 34.7 percent of Tioga County students stated that it would not be too hard. 

Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can end up in someone else’s hands and misused or illegally sold. Unused drugs that end up flushed infect our water. Safe disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment. Taking the step of cleaning out your medicine cabinet of expired or unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines prevents the chance of overdose deaths or abuse by a family member. Drug Take-back events and medication collection boxes are the best way to dispose of old drugs. 

Are there expired or unused prescription medicines in your home? CASA-Trinity, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Department, and the Spencer Police Department are hosting National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day free drug collection event on April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 6 McMaster St. in Owego, across the street from Owego Agway and at 81 E. Tioga St. in Spencer (Spencer Highway Department Parking Lot). The collection is a drive up and drop off service, no questions asked. 

You can also stop by a Tioga County Prescription Drug Collection Box; they are located at the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office in Owego, the Owego Police Department in Owego, the Waverly Police Department in Waverly, and the Apalachin Pharmacy in Apalachin. For more information, you can contact CASA-Trinity by calling (607) 223-4066.