News

Take Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs September 27

1G-Poster-English-8.5x11On September 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the local agencies partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its ninth opportunity in four years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Click here for a list of sites near you and remember New Garden Police Department located at 8934 Gap Newport Pike in Landenberg, Pennsylvania has a drop off site open 24/7 365 days of the year. (Remember the DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.)  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 390 tons (over 780,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 6,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,400 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  When those results are combined with what was collected in its eight previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 4.1 million pounds—more than 2,100 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. 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.

DEA is in the process of approving new regulations that implement the Safe and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an “ultimate user” (that is, a patient or their family member or pet owner) of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them.  The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances.

Volunteers needed for habitat restoration planting.

REGISTRATION CLOSED - THIS EVENT IS FULL

The White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic Rivers Program needs 40 volunteers to plant wildflowers, trees, and shrubs along the banks of the White Clay Creek in the historic Landenberg village. These plants will work to capture, infiltrate and treat polluted run off as well as create habitat for wildlife. Volunteers will learn about native plants and how they help to clean our water and also get a sneak peek at the new Landenberg Junction Trailhead!

Volunteers should wear old clothes and sneakers (or boots) that you wouldn't mind getting dirty and wet. If you own large shovels or garden trowels and gardening gloves please bring them. There will be a limited number of gloves and shovels supplied on-site. The event will occur at the new trail head next to the historic Landenberg Bridge, near the intersection of Penn Green Road and Landenberg Road. Parking will be available at the Landenberg United Methodist Church parking lot off of Penn Green Road (click here for map).  The entrance to the planting site is on the right after you cross the bridge and will be clearly marked.  An email with more specific information and a map will be sent to registered volunteers a few days prior to the event.

Saturday, September 13th, 2014, 9am-1pm

Raindate: Tuesday, September 16th, 9am-1pm

Landenberg Junction Trailhead, Landenberg, PA

Park at the lot on Penn Green Road across from the Landenberg United Methodist Church and walk to the new trailhead on Landenberg Road, just across the bridge.  (click for map)

*Registration required: Landenberg Junction Habitat Restoration Registration Form.

LBJ pdf(download flyer here)

Volunteers needed to help keep the White Clay Clean!

REGISTRATION CLOSED - THIS EVENT IS FULL

Three stormwater basins in Newark, Delaware that were retrofitted in April 2013 are in need of some TLC. Please join us to plant some more wildflowers and grasses to keep these basins working to improve water quality and provide quality wildlife habitat. Learn more about the benefits of stormwater basin retrofits at StormwaterPA.

Wednesday, September 17th, 2014 from 1pm-4pm

The Hunt at Louviers neighborhood, Newark, DE

Meet at entrance to basin 1 on Cullen Drive (click for map)

volunteer habitat planting Hunt jpg
volunteer habitat planting Hunt jpg