Casey Highlights Rx Drug Take-Back Sites Around PA Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today was joined by Bernie A. Strain Jr., coordinator of Pennsylvania’s P2D2 Program, to raise awareness of the nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative.  They discussed the value of proper drug disposal to prevent increased pill abuse and theft and the DEA-organized effort tomorrow to collect prescription drugs at sites around the country.“I commend the work of Bernie Strain to educate the public about the need to properly dispose of prescription drugs,” said Senator Casey.  “The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day to be held tomorrow will offer people in Pennsylvania and at 3,400 sites around the country a safe means of disposing of their prescription drugs.”
 
Many Americans are not aware that prescription drugs in their medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse.  Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, 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, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
 
On Saturday, the DEA will coordinate a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. Collection activities will take place from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at sites established throughout the country.  There are roughly 300 collection sites in Pennsylvania.  A list of collection sites is available through the DEA: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/takeback/
 
Earlier this year, Senator Casey introduced and passed a Senate resolution designating May 24, 2010 as Prescription Drug Disposal Awareness Day.  May 24th was Timothy Michael Strain’s birthday.  Timmy, as his family called him, died last year when he was given painkillers that had not been prescribed for him.  Through their grief, his parents Bernie and Beverly Strain have taken up the cause of safe drug disposal to make sure what happened to their son does not happen to others.  

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