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February 22 (UPI) – In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of opioids, Google Maps has announced the launch of a pilot program to help people easily find prescription drug collection sites.
According to a statement released Thursday, the company said by typing in Google Maps searches such as "drop drugs near me" or "elimination of drugs near my home", allowing Internet users to find drop-off sites including hospitals, pharmacies and government buildings.
"Today, we help Americans quickly find disposal sites on Google Maps and Search throughout the year," said Dane Glasglow, vice president of products at Google Maps. in a press release. "Research on issues such as" drug drop-off near my home "or" scrapping drugs near me "displays permanent disposal locations in your pharmacy, hospital, or local government building. so that you can quickly and safely get rid of your unnecessary medications. "
Google Maps has 3,500 prescription drug drop points in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, the company said.
Google has partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the US Department of Health and Human Services, CVS, Walgreens and other organizations, and has announced plans to expand the program. in the next few months.
The program was born of a partnership last year when Google collaborated with the DEA to develop a site map for the elimination of Google Maps drugs as part of National Prescription Drug Takeover Day. With the help of locator, local partners involved in this effort recovered 1.85 million pounds of unused prescription drugs.
This program comes as reports show that deaths from illicit opioids are expected to reach 147% by 2025.
"Fifty-three percent of prescription drug abuses start with drugs obtained from family or friends, so we work alongside government agencies and non-profit organizations to help people eliminate them in any way. safety the excess or unused opioids of their medicine cabinets, "Glasglow said.
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