National Drug Facts Week, Jan. 26-Feb. 1

There are less than two weeks till National Drug Facts Week, January 26-February 1. National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) aims to shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse for teens, using science and support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and locally-organized events. NIDA provides a wealth of ideas and materials for schools, groups and event organizers, including many that can be used anytime:

• NDFW teaching guide
• NIDA teaching guides 
• Activity ideas for NDFW events
• Online toolkit for promoting NDFW events
• National Drug IQ Challenge quiz
• Marijuana: Facts for Teens 
• Free materials to download or order
• Drug Facts Chat Day, a live online chat held between high school students and NIDA scientists

Saturday, April 26 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Between 10AM and 2PM on April 26, bring your unwanted prescription drugs to a collection site near you.

Properly disposing of medicines is important to human health and the environment. If you dispose of drugs on your own, check out these tips from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (PDF).

Drop Off Your Unwanted or Expired Medications this Saturday

Saturday, October 29, you can dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications at a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collection site. Find a drug collection site near you. If you can’t participate in Prescription Drug Take Back Day, learn how to safely and properly dispose of unused medicines.

Publicatio​ns About Antibiotic Resistance and Generic Drugs

Antibiotic Resistance - Antibiotic drugs can save lives. But the more often you use an antibiotic, the more likely it is that germs will become drug resistant. Learn what you can do to minimize this problem.

Generic Drugs - A generic drug is a copy of a brand name drug, but it works the same and can save you money. Learn more about the effectiveness, appearance, and safety of generic drugs.

Discover personal health books, information on dieting and nutrition, medical problems, mental health issues, and more at Publications.USA.gov. Find more health publications to view online or order in print.

Second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

April 30, 2011 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

For local collection sites see below

Turn in your unused or expired prescription and non-prescription medications for safe disposal.

Proper disposal of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications is important to protect both people and the environment. Unused prescription and over-the-counter medications that remain in the home can cause serious harm to people if they are taken accidently, intentionally misused or inappropriately given to someone else. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Unused medications that are flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink can enter the water supply, harming fish and other wildlife and posing a potential risk to people.

If you have unused medications to get rid of, bring them to a local collection site on Saturday, April 30th between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

Albany Police Department South Station, 126 Arch Street, Albany, NY 12202

Crossgates Mall Overflow parking lot across from Borders and Ruby Tuesday’s (Drive-thru), 1 Crossgates Road, Albany, NY 12202

For more information and to find additional collection sites in the area go to: www.albanycounty.com/health

www.nationaltakebackday.com

American public overwhelmingly responded to DEA prescription drug take-back effort" last fall.

Proper Disposal of Household Prescriptions and Over-the-Counter Drugs

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has launched a new initiative to help reduce the growing presence of pharmaceuticals in water bodies in New York State. The "Don't Flush Your Drugs" campaign provides information about how to dispose of medicines properly to help prevent water quality problems in the future. The DEC web site provides information and links to other sites.