374th MDSS, 374th SFS host first drug take-back day

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  • By 374th Medical Support Squadron Diagnostics and Therapeutics Flight
  • 374th Medical Support Squadron Diagnostics and Therapeutics Flight
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 374th Medical Support Squadron will team up the 374th Security Forces Squadron to give the public an opportunity to turn in expired, unused and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications. 

The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the front entrance of the Yokota Community Center.

This service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

This is the third time that the Drug Enforcement Agency initiative is being implemented and the first time Yokota is participating.

Last year, nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in these events, collecting more than 309 tons of items.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and health issue. Medicines that sit in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses. Studies have shown that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from the households of family and friends.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines--flushing them down the toilet--pose potential safety and health hazards.

In 2010, Air Force pharmacies dispensed more than 15 million prescriptions. Due to changing health conditions, drug allergies or adverse drug reactions, our beneficiaries end up with an accumulation of partially-used prescriptions.

"This Drug Take-Back Day will help safeguard the Yokota community and protect our environment," said Maj. Ericka Comer, 374th MDSS diagnostics and therapeutics flight commander. "The DEA provides guidance on how to safely collect medications, which affords us this opportunity to properly dispose of medications that are no longer needed or wanted."

We will accept all prescription medications, medication samples, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, medications for pets, medicated ointments and creams, inhalers, Epi-Pens and liquid medicine in their original containers.

We will NOT accept needles, lancets, syringes, thermometers, aerosol cans, empty containers, personal care products such as shampoo, no bloody or infectious waste, no hydrogen peroxide and no illicit substances.

Individuals are asked to leave the labels on the medications bottle for medication identification purpose but please mark out name and personal information.