The Springfield Township Police Department invites residents to properly dispose of expired, unwanted or unused medication for destruction at the Police Department headquarters at 1130 Compton Road on Saturday, October 29th  from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This free drop-off program is coordinated with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and is part of a nationwide "take back initiative" with the focus on removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation's medicine cabinets. Several law enforcement agencies across the United States will be participating in this one-day effort. The event will bring national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse and will provide the opportunity for law enforcement, prevention, treatment and business communities to collaborate and establish a safe collection site for all Americans, regardless of where they reside.

Controlled, non-controlled, and over the counter substances will be collected. This program is completely anonymous and identification will not be required or checked. It is encouraged that any identifying information be removed from prescription bottles. All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in their consumer containers will be accepted. Intra-venous solutions, injectibles, and syringes will not be accepted due to the potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.

Please expect a line for this event. You will stay in your car and simply drop the medicine(s) into the designated drop-box when it is your turn in line. A Springfield Township officer will be stationed with the medication drop-off box throughout the entire event. The medications will be properly disposed of by the DEA.  For questions or further information, please contact the Springfield Township Police Department at 729-1300.

Prescription Drug Abuse -- a DEA Focus --   

•In 2008, there were 6.2 million Americans aged 12 years and older who abused *prescription drugs for non-medical purposes within the past month – more than the number of people who are abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants, combined.  

• In 2008, on average, 5,965 persons per day abused prescription pain relievers for the first time.The total number of individuals that initiated with any controlled substance pharmaceutical (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives) for the first time exceeded the number of individuals that abused marijuana for the first time.[1]  

• Every day, on average, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time. 

• 1 in 7 teens admit to abusing prescription drugs to get high in the past year.Sixty percent of teens who abused prescription pain relievers did so before the age of 15.  

• Fifty-six percent of teens believe that prescription drugs are easier to get than illicit drugs.  

• 2 in 5 teens believe that prescription drugs are “much safer” than illegal drugs.And 3 in 10 teens believe that prescription pain relievers are not addictive.   

•Sixty-three percent of teens believe that prescription drugs are easy to get from friends’ and family’s medicine cabinet.  

• According to the Center for Disease Control, prescription drugs, including opioids and antidepressants, are responsible for more overdose deaths than “street drugs” such as cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines.  

• DEA works closely with the medical community to help them recognize drug abuse and signs of diversion, and relies on their input and due diligence to combat diversion.Unfortunately, egregious drug violations by practitioners do sometimes occur – fortunately doctor involvement in illegal drug activity is rare.When violations do occur, DEA will pursue criminal, civil, and administrative actions against such practitioners as warranted.