NEW CASTLE, Del. – On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Police Department will participate in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) twenty-seventh National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  This initiative, which focuses on removing potentially dangerous drugs from our nation’s homes, provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceuticals and other medications to law enforcement officers for proper disposal.  

This national program provides an easy, no hassle way for the public to properly dispose of unused drugs.  “Old prescription medicines neglected inside home medicine cabinets are vulnerable to abuse,” said Col. Wayne McFadden of the DRBA Police Department.  “By properly disposing of your unused or expired prescription drugs, you’re ensuring that these medications don’t find their way into the wrong hands. We encourage folks to take advantage of this important public service program.”

The program is strictly confidential.  “No questions or requests for identification will be made by law enforcement personnel present,” McFadden added.  “In fact, participants will be asked to remove any personal information from bottles or packages.”

Numerous collections sites are established throughout the area for the public to relinquish over the counter, controlled substances, or prescription drugs – including tablets, capsules, ointments, creams and liquids as well as expired animal medication and vitamins. No syringes please.  

Since the bi-state agency began participating in the NTBI in 2010, more than 3,600 pounds of medication have been collected at DRBA sites.

When:   October 26, 2024; 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where:  The DRBA Police Department has established three collection sites: 

• Wilmington Airport Terminal Building, 151 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE
• Lewes Ferry Terminal, 43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE
• Cape May Ferry Terminal, 1200 Lincoln Blvd., N. Cape May, NJ

Typical methods for disposing of unused medicines – either flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – pose potential safety, health, and environmental risks.  Drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved, abused, or illegally sold.  Flushing unwanted medicines may contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs   saves lives and protects the environment.

The public can find the nearest collection sites in their community by logging on to the internet and going to the www.dea.gov website and clicking on the drug disposal icon.  After clicking on the icon, you must enter your zip code and the database will query the collection sites that have been registered and provide you with the nearest collection site near that zip code.

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority 
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages two airports in New Jersey (Millville Executive Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (Wilmington Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.  For more information, visit www.drba.net.