2700 WEST 15TH STREET  PLANO, TEXAS 75075
(P) 469.752.8100  (F) 469.752.8096  WWW.PISD.EDU
For immediate release:
Media contact:
Lesley Range-Stanton, Director for Communications, 469.752.8094
Plano ISD to provide collection sites for the “National
Take Back Initiative,” September 25
Local law enforcement agencies are partnering with DEA – Dallas Field
Division to provide opportunity to turn in pharmaceutical controlled
substances for proper destruction
(Plano, Texas—September 13, 2010) The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and government,
community, public health and law enforcement partners have announced a nationwide prescription drug
“Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. Locally, the Plano Police
Department will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for
destruction on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The service is free and anonymous, no
questions asked.
Four Plano ISD schools, along with Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, will serve as collection sites
for the September 25 event. The addresses for Plano collection sites are:
 Plano West Senior High School, 5601 W. Parker Road;
 Clark High School, 523 Spring Creek Parkway;
 Plano Senior High School, 2200 Independence Parkway;
 Plano East Senior High School, 3000 Los Rios Blvd; and
 Baylor Regional Medical Center, 4700 Alliance Blvd.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that
medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of
prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing at alarming rates, 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, many Americans
do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or
throwing them away—both potential safety and health hazards.
“We appreciate the Plano Police Department’s efforts in bringing this opportunity to participate to our
families. The National Take Back Initiative offers a critical action step in line with district and community
goals to promote safe and drug-free schools,” said Dr. Cathy Galloway, executive director for student and
family services.
“Prescription drug abuse is the Nation’s fastest growing drug problem, and take-back events like this one are
an indispensable tool for reducing the threat that the diversion and abuse of these drugs pose to public
2700 WEST 15TH STREET  PLANO, TEXAS 75075
(P) 469.752.8100  (F) 469.752.8096  WWW.PISD.EDU
health,” said Director of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske. “The Federal/state/and local
collaboration represented in this initiative is key in our national efforts to reduce pharmaceutical drug
diversion and abuse.”
More information can be found by going to www.dea.gov. Other participants in this initiative include the
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; the Partnership for a Drug-Free America; the
International Association of Chiefs of Police; the National Association of Attorneys General; the National
Association of Boards of Pharmacy; the Federation of State Medical Boards; and the National District
Attorneys Association.
About Plano Independent School District
The Plano Independent School District – http://www.pisd.edu/ – endeavors to foster the highest level of
student learning. The mission of Plano ISD is to provide an excellent education for all students. Plano ISD is
located 20 miles north of Dallas, Texas and serves the residents of approximately 100 square miles in
southwest Collin County, including 66 square miles in the city of Plano, northern portions of the cities of
Dallas and Richardson and parts of the cities of Allen, Parker and Murphy. Plano ISD employs 7,000 faculty
and staff members who serve more than 55,000 students in 70 schools and 11 service facilities. Participating
in Plano ISD schools enables students to adapt to new learning opportunities throughout their lives,
collaborate with, and contribute to, the global community and to be creative and disciplined in their thinking.
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