JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Joint Base Langley-Eustis will host its National Prescription Take-Back Day drives April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the base's Exchange locations.
This year marks the sixth time JBLE has participated in the event, in which community members can surrender expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances or medication to law enforcement officers for destruction.
The National Prescription Take Back Day will enable Americans to clean out medicine cabinets, which is a crucial step toward reducing the epidemic of prescription drug abuse. In addition to being able to turn in medications that have expired or are no longer being utilized, educational information will be available on how to dispose of medications appropriately.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. According to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than seven million Americans abuse prescription drugs.
Every day, on average, 2,500 teens use them to get high for the first time, according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
During the first national take back day initiative on Oct. 2, 2010, the American public turned in more than 242,000 pounds of prescription drugs for safe and proper disposal. More than 4,000 take back sites were available in all 50 states.
Langley Air Force Base will host its take-back location at the Exchange satellite pharmacy, located at 51 Spaatz Drive. Fort Eustis' take-back location will be at the Exchange in the food court area, inside Bldg. 1386.
For more information, contact Walter Gaines at walter.m.gaines.civ@mail.mil or U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Sharonda Howell at
sharonda.d.howell.mil@mail.mil.