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The 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday.
The initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse.
Now in its ninth year, the DEA has collected a total of nearly 11 million pounds of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events.
This weekend, approximately 6,000 collection sites manned by nearly 5,000 partner law enforcement agencies will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous.
The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.)
“The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is committed to working with all of our partners to stem the tide of drug abuse and addiction across the nation,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon. “The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is one way that we can all make a difference in our community by safely disposing of unwanted medication. This unwanted medicine often ends up in the wrong hands. While it might seem insignificant, safely disposing of unwanted prescription drugs can truly save lives.”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The majority of prescription drug abusers say they get their drugs free from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet. Take Back Day is a unique opportunity for Americans to protect their homes and medicine cabinets from theft and abuse.
National Take Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last October, the public turned in 457 tons (914,236 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,800 of its local and tribal partners.
