Drug Takeback

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a way for rural residents to combat opioid abuse in rural communities, according to the America Farm Bureau Federation. Anne Hazlett, senior adviser for rural affairs at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, says Saturday is an opportunity to remove unused opioids from your medicine cabinet. "This is an event that happens twice a year, where law enforcement teams up with community leaders and provides a disposal location where people can get rid of the unused or expired medications out of their medicine cabinets."

 

In 2017, more than 70,000 Americans lost their lives as a result of a drug overdose, and many of those deaths happened as a result of opioids. Hazlett says rural America is not immune to those challenges. "Many of those deaths, sadly, happened in rural America. And when you step back and look at some of the research, we also find that many people who struggle with addiction didn't get those drugs from a drug dealer. They got them from friends or family that had unused medication lying around in their homes."

 

Hazlett encourages all rural residents to participate in a take back event. "We appreciate the partnership and the leadership of Farm Bureau in addressing an issue that is so important to the future of rural communities, and participating in a take back day event in your community is just one more way to be a part of this team effort."

 

Find a take back site near you this Saturday at deatakeback.com.