Story by Douglas Mallary, NMNG Public Affairs
Photos by Brenda Mallary, NMNG Administrative Services
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico National Guard assisted in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Spc. Christopher Quintana and Amanda Bryant manned a collection point outside the Albuquerque Readiness Center today.
Quintana, who is assigned to the 996th Field Feeding Team, has been a member of the NMNG’s Counterdrug Joint Task Force for three years. Bryant works for the NMNG as a Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator.
“The purpose of this is to try and get unused drugs out of the household so children aren’t tempted to experiment with them,” Quintana said.
“One of the most important things to emphasize is that you should only take drugs that are prescribed to you,” Bryant said. “It (Take Back Day) helps keep drugs off the streets.”
Nick Romero, Group Supervisor for the DEA’s Albuquerque District Office, said that Take Back Day was instituted more than 10 years ago.
“We do it two times a year – October and April,” Romero said. “It’s a nationwide event between 10 (a.m.) and 2 (p.m.). We have 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide for free, anonymous disposal. We safely dispose of the drugs in an environmentally approved manner.”
He added that DEA has coordinated year-round drop off locations at 15,000 pharmacies, hospitals, police departments, and businesses around the nation.
Romero said that the National Guard plays an important role in the effort.
“For many years, we’ve been partnering with the Guard,” Romero said. “It extends into other relationships such as outreach and Red Ribbon (prevention campaigns).”
Besides keeping older drugs from being abused by others, Romero said that Take Back Day prevents accidental poisoning and curbs drug-related violence.
“Prevention of prescription drug abuse and opioid addiction starts at home,” Romero said.
Albuquerque citizens dropped off more than 30 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs in the first half-hour of collection at the Albuquerque Readiness Center this morning.
Quintana and Bryant passed out free information pamphlets, drug deactivation systems, and items such as pens and stress balls to the citizens.
