The Brownwood Police Department held their third semi-annual Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 28th from 10am until 2pm. The event was held at two locations in Brownwood, in the parking lots of Brookshire’s and Wal-Mart.
The event is an effort to help keep unneeded prescriptions and illegal drugs off the streets of Brownwood and out of the city’s wastewater treatment plant and was reported to have been quite a success according to Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley. The Drug Take Back Day is held to provide a venue for those who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs, no questions asked.
“Our drug take back day was another huge success,” said Corley. “The total weight of the returned drugs was approximately 198 pounds.”
Corley stated that two officers manned the six hour event on Saturday and offered his appreciation for their dedication.
“Lieutenant Delgado headed up the police department’s participation on Saturday. I want to say a big thanks to her,” Corley said. “Also, a big thank you goes out to Sergeant Mike Sheedy. Lt. Delgado worked the Wal-Mart location and Sgt. Sheedy worked the Brookshire’s location.”
Lt. Delgado stated in an email that the citizens of Brownwood and the city’s wastewater treatment plant employees were an important part of the event’s success.
“I appreciate all the citizens who have made this another successful event. I would also like to thank Richard Couch and Howard Hall from Brownwood’s waste water treatment plant for helping organize and man the Take Back event,” said Delgado. “I would also like to give a special ‘Thank You’ to Brookshire’s and Wal-Mart for allowing us to use their businesses for the Drug Take Back Program.”
According to Corley, the 198 pounds of drugs will be given to the DEA for destruction. He also wanted to thank the DEA for sponsoring a great program.
Brownwood Police Department hosts these Drug Take Back events to help get drugs off the streets, but also noted that this event also gets expired and unwanted drugs out of our medicine cabinets.
The DEA’s website states that this initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. It also offered the following statistics:
- More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
- Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.
- Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.
