Nationwide prescription drug take-back program slated for late April

A nationwide prescription drug disposal initiative is set for the end of April, the Ledger Dispatch reports.

The Amador County, California Sheriff's Department has teamed up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to sponsor the the event to combat illegal prescription drug abuse and misuse.

According to the DEA, more than 242,000 pounds or 121 tons of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites were collected in 2010. Meanwhile, more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners, which includes the Amador County Sheriff's Department took part in this program

Officials told the news source that the service is free and anonymous and will dispose of any unwanted prescriptions whether it is unused or expired in an effort to keep the drug out of children's hands.

Parents who suspect their child is using prescription medication may enroll them into boarding school to receive drug rehab. These facilities are conducive to learning and offer individual therapy.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 7 percent of students in 10th grade used the prescription drug Vicodin in 2008. Furthermore, approximately 10 percent of high school seniors used the medication recreationally.