R 136

2015 -- S 0379 Enacted 03/19/2015

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO ADVOCATE FOR RESTORING FUNDING FOR NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Nesselbush, Miller, Algiere, and Satchell

Date Introduced: February 25, 2015

WHEREAS, Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning, and the

safe disposal of narcotics and other prescription drugs is therefore a public health priority in

Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Prescription drug abuse is alarmingly common in the Ocean State. Over half

of teens who abuse medications get them from a family member or friend, and oftentimes a

medicine cabinet in the household presents an open invitation to our young people; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s local leaders, law enforcement officials, public health

experts, and environmental professionals stand united in their support of drug take-back

programs; and

WHEREAS, Police departments throughout our state have been collecting discarded

prescriptions and other medications on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, an event

whose last day took place in September of 2014; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, thousands of pounds of unused and potentially dangerous

medications have been safely disposed of through this program; and

WHEREAS, The United States Drug Enforcement Agency has ended its financial support

for National Drug Take Back Day; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests that Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation advocates for restoring

funding for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the members of the Rhode Island Congressional

Delegation, the Director of the Department of Health, the Superintendent of the Rhode Island

State Police, and the President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association.

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LC001841

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