Every day, 115 Americans die from an opioid overdose.
To help curb this trend, Carle works with local law enforcement to control prescription drug abuse through National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient and trustworthy way to dispose of unused and expired prescription drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration started this event in 2010, collecting over 9 million pounds of medication since its launch. These events do not accept illicit drugs such as marijuana, heroin or LSD.
Take Back Days work to help stop drug addiction and deaths related to overdose.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day happened April 28. Although there isn’t a drop-off location in Champaign-Urbana, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department in Tuscola and the Monticello Police Department will offer collection points.
“Although community members can dispose of any prescription drugs at the event, we’re particularly focused on prescription opioids,” said Carle general surgeon Kimberly Cradock, MD. “Carle wants to play an active role in the opioid crisis by reducing access for non-medical reasons.”
Many abusers get prescription drugs through drug diversion. Diversion occurs when people give their prescribed medications to someone else.
“Take Back Day helps us try to reduce the impact of the opioid crisis by preventing drug diversion,” Dr. Cradock said.
For other disposal options, Bond Drug Company of Illinois, LLC in Champaign collects them year-round.
For more information about Drug Take Back Day, please visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/.
Categories: Staying Healthy
Tags: Carle, drug, overdose, Police, prescription, abuse, takeback, opioid