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90 lbs of drugs safely disposed of in Northumberland County

90.5 lbs shown on a field of colorful pills

Northumberland County Sheriff's Office delivered to the DEA 90.5 lbs of drugs following the semi-annual Drug Take Back Day in April.

If you missed the event to safely dispose of over-the-counter and prescription drugs, you can anonymously drop off drugs (liquids and needles/sharps are not accepted) at NCSO (195 Judicial Place, Heathsville) in the lobby any time day or night.

People have asked why the two days each year and effort more broadly are important. This is why:

  • "Substance use was common among U.S. high school students during 2019 and varied by substance, year, and demographic groups. . ." Just over seven percent of high school students reported current prescription opioid misuse. As for lifetime use, 14.3% of high school students reported misusing prescription opioids. (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2019 (PDF))
  • "Ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. They are also found in combination products such as cough and cold medicines. An overdose of these medications may cause stomach upset, abdominal pain, and vomiting, kidney damage, ulcers, bleeding, seizures, and coma. . . As with other medicines, some sizes of over-the-counter NSAIDs are sold in non-child-resistant packages. People who take ibuprofen or naproxen for arthritis or other chronic pain may buy non-child-resistant containers on purpose." (National Capital Poison Center on pain relievers; emphasis added)
  • "Medication disposal days are extremely important to prevent the diversion of unneeded medications and to dispose of them in a safe, legal and environmentally friendly manner. Most teenagers who misuse prescription drugs obtain them from a friend or family member. It is very important to safely store medications, keeping them locked up and out of the reach of children. Safe disposal keeps toxic medications out of the groundwater and protects wildlife from harm." (The Importance of Drug Take Back Days)


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