Drug Take Back Day is Saturday; Garrett has year-round drop boxes
Residents can turn in old or unused prescriptions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and three drop boxes in Garrett County take medicines year-round.
Garrett County residents with old or unused prescriptions in the medicine cabinet will have an easy, anonymous way to get rid of them this Saturday, Oct. 24, during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced Oct. 16 that the 31st Take Back Day runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, with more than 4,300 law enforcement agencies taking part and more than 4,400 collection sites set up nationwide. Sites taking part can be found at DEATakeBack.com.
According to the DEA, collection sites accept tablets, capsules, patches and other prescription medicines, along with liquid medicines that are tightly sealed in their original containers. Syringes, other sharps and illegal drugs are not accepted.
Residents don't have to wait for Saturday. The Garrett County Health Department lists three permanent medication drop boxes in the county:
- Maryland State Police, McHenry Barrack
- Garrett County Sheriff's Office, 311 East Alder St., Oakland
- Oakland Town Hall, 15 South Third St., Oakland
The Maryland State Police said in April that its barracks have secure drug collection boxes that are open around the clock, all year. Hours at the Sheriff's Office and Town Hall boxes may differ, so it's worth calling ahead: the McHenry Barrack can be reached at 301-387-1101, the Sheriff's Office at 301-334-1911 and Oakland Town Hall at 301-334-2691.
The DEA says Take Back Day has helped Americans clear more than 20 million pounds of unneeded medicine out of their homes. The agency says turning in unused medicines helps keep potentially addictive drugs out of the wrong hands. The DEA also notes that more than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals and businesses nationwide take back medicines year-round.
