Faculty, staff and students who have unwanted prescription drugs will be able to dispose of those pills safely and free of charge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29 on campus.
UCCS community members can bring unwanted pills to the Department of Public Safety from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 28. On Oct. 29, the effort will be expanded to include the greater Colorado Springs community as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take Back Day.
The unwanted pills will be collected and safely disposed. Flushing or putting unwanted pills into the trash is often discouraged as the compounds in many medicines can be harmful to people or wildlife if they enter the water supply. The pills can also end up in the wrong hands.
More than 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs illegally, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.
Last year, the DEA ,in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States , collected more than 309 tons of pills.
“We are pleased to partner with the DEA to provide this valuable service to the community,” Jim Spice, director, Department of Public Safety, said.
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