WANTED: YOUR UNUSED OR EXPIRED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS NATIONAL TAKE BACK INITIATIVE, APRIL 27, 2013

The Maryland State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration are partnering to give Marylanders a way to turn in their unwanted or expired prescription drugs before they fall into the wrong hands.
In response to the rising concern about prescription abuse, Maryland State Police barracks throughout the state will become collection stations for the safe disposal of these medications, during the National Take Back Initiative, April 27, 2013 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This Take Back initiative is a great opportunity for all to safely dispose of their unused or expired medications, before they fall into the wrong hands. 
The non-medical use of prescription drugs is second only to the use of marijuana as the most commonly used drug in America. Despite the recent decrease in teen drug use, particularly marijuana, studies show an increasing number of teens using prescription drugs to get high. The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs are getting them right out of their family’s medicine cabinet or that of a friend. 
Prior to this initiative, there was no legal means for individuals to turn in these controlled substances for disposal. Since the Take-Back Initiative began, over 1.5 million pounds (774 tons) of unwanted or expired medications have been taken out of circulation and properly disposed of.