Rural America Reminded To Safely Dispose Of Unwanted Drugs

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday.  The American Farm Bureau Federation said the event is a way for residents to combat opioid abuse in rural communities.

“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,” said Anne Hazlett, senior adviser for rural affairs at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

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 said 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 everyone to participate in Saturday's 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.”

Click Here to find a take back site near you.

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