According to Maryland Department of Health statistics, from January 2022 to January 2023, there were 2,154 opioid-related fatal overdoses recorded in the state and of those, 320 were prescription opioid-related fatalities. According to the DEA, the majority of teenagers abusing prescription medications are finding an unlimited supply in their family’s medicine cabinet.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing prescription medications, while also educating the general public about the potential for misuse of medications.
Each Maryland State Police barrack will act as a collection station, giving residents an opportunity to dispose of all unneeded prescription medications.
At the last Prescription Drug Take Back event in October 2022, the Maryland State Police collected more than 570 pounds of unneeded prescription medications. This included more than 80 pounds from the Frederick barrack, 73 pounds form the College Park barrack, 49 pounds from the Rockville barrack, and 44 pounds from the Golden Ring barrack. Since 2014, the Maryland State Police have successfully removed more than 26,000 pounds of unneeded prescription medications in an effort to prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.
As part of Maryland’s combined and continued effort to reduce opioid misuse, Maryland State Police barracks, across the state, have become around-the-clock drop-off locations for unneeded prescription medications. All 23 Maryland State Police barracks are now equipped with secure drug collection boxes and are available around-the-clock for unneeded prescription medication drop-off. The drop-off boxes remain confidential. No questions will be asked when deposits are made.
Residents can locate the closest Maryland State Police barrack by visiting: https://bit.ly/3L27LDj.
The Maryland State Police is a partner in the Opioid Operational Command Center, which facilitates collaboration between state and local public health, human services, education, and public safety entities to combat the Heroin and Opioid Crisis and its’ deadly impact on Maryland communities. Before It’s Too Late is the state’s effort to bring awareness to this epidemic and to mobilize resources for effect prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Do your part to ensure your prescription medications don’t get into the wrong hands. Keep them safe. Clean them out. Take them back.
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CONTACT: Office of Media Communications, msp.media@maryland.gov