Press Releases
04/26/2018
CONNECTICUT FAMILIES ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL DRUG TAKEBACK DAY
Thursday, April 26th 2018 – This Saturday, April 28th is National Drug Takeback Day, an important opportunity for families to empty their medicine cabinets. The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) are encouraging families to participate in National Drug Takeback Day, and make drug disposal a part of their routines in the future.
Here are some ways that Connecticut families can participate in Takeback Day:
- Find your local drug drop box. There are more than 80 permanent drop boxes in the state where families can dispose of medication 24 hours a day. Find the list of drop box locations at www.ct.gov/dropbox.
- Dispose of your medication at home. If you can’t make it to a drop box, you can always safely dispose of your medication at home using a drug disposal kit from your pharmacy, or by mixing your medication with hot water and something undesirable (like used kitty litter or old coffee grounds), and placing it in a secure container before throwing it away. Never flush medication down the toilet or the sink.
- Encourage your friends and family members to participate in Takeback Day. If you remind others to empty their medicine cabinets, you could save a life. If you have friends or family who haven’t disposed of medication before, invite them on your trip to the local drop box, or help them dispose at home.
“Too many serious addiction issues start with prescription drugs, and we know that all of us need to be safer and take more precautions to protect our loved ones,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “There’s no one solution to combat the opioid crisis, but disposing of unneeded prescription medications is one thing all of us can do to make our world safer, and prevent more of our friends and family members from suffering addiction.”
“The best way to stop addiction is to prevent it,” said DMHAS Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon. “We all play a part in the fight against opioid misuse. Disposing of unneeded medications is one step we can all take to help prevent the misuse of prescription medication.”
Earlier this year, Connecticut launched its statewide public awareness campaign, Change the Script, to support communities, health care providers, pharmacists and individuals facing the prescription drug and opioid misuse and overdose crisis plaguing Connecticut and the nation. Information and campaign materials are available online at www.drugfreect.org.
Residents, organizations, and professionals who have questions or concerns about drug drop boxes or drug disposal may contact DCP’s Drug Control Division by emailing dcp.drugcontrol@ct.gov or by calling (860) 713-6065.
If you or someone you know is living with an opioid addiction, resources from DMHAS can be found by visiting www.ct.gov/DMHAS/opioidresources or by calling 1-800-563-4086 to be connected to addiction treatment and services.
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Media Contacts:
Department of Consumer Protection
Lora Rae Anderson
lorarae.anderson@ct.gov
(860) 713-6019 (office)
(860) 247-8711 (cell)
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Diana Lejardi
diana.lejardi@ct.gov
(860) 418-6967 (office)
(860) 558-0024 (cell)
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