CAPE COD BROADCASTING AND FALMOUTH PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH CAPE-WIDE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO TAKE BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS APRIL 27 AT LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS
Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Broadcasting in cooperation with the Falmouth Prevention Partnership is launching an awareness campaign years to prevent pill abuse and theft by educating listeners about the proper disposal of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
On April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. most Cape Cod Police Departments and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its sixth opportunity in three years to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted medications. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. To locate participating collection sites you can bring medications for disposal please visit CapeCodBroadcasting.com
Promotions and Community Relations Director, Kim Lucas announced that beginning Monday, April 22nd, 99.9 WQRC, Ocean 104.7, Cape Country 104, Classical 107.5 WFCC and CapeCod.com will broadcast a week-long awareness campaign educating and informing listeners about, teen prescription drug abuse, environmental ramifications and the potential for home break-ins from improper prescription drug disposal. These informational messages will also promote the DEA’s Drug Take Back date on April 27th. Lucas said, “We hope that by sending a consistent message on all our stations and CapeCod.com that we inspire people to take advantage of the Take Back event. Our goal is to increase awareness here on the Cape, reduce youth substance abuse and protect our environment”.
Last September, Americans turned in 244 tons of prescription drugs at over 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners. In its five previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in over 2 million pounds—over a thousand tons—of pills.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. “National Drug Take Back Day” is important tool in addressing one of the root causes of youth prescription drug use which is availability.” states Patricia Mitrokostas, Program Director for the Falmouth Prevention Partnership. She goes on to say, “We can reduce availability by targeting a primary source of access, your home’s medicine cabinets. Also removing unused prescription drugs from the home, residents become less vulnerable to crime through theft of medications. ”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
The Falmouth Prevention Partnership is a partnership of health professionals, educators, public safety officials, faith based organizations parents and youth working as partners to reduce substance abuse and other risky behavior. They are a community effort committed to building a healthy and safe environment for our youth.
Locally owned and operated, Cape Cod Broadcasting’s “we’re here when you need us” pledge is part of our continuing commitment to our local communities. Cape Cod Broadcasting dedicates resources and promotional support to many local organizations, like the Falmouth Prevention Partnership to serve the people who live here.