Jack's Blog
THIS SATURDAY: National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Posted by
Chris
on
April 25, 2012
This Saturday, April 28, 2012 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the Drug Enforcement Administraiton (DEA) will partner with state and local law enforcement agencies on its fourth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at thousands of sites around the country. This will provide the public with an important opportunity to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last October during a similar event, Americans turned in 188.5 tons of prescription drugs at over 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement partners. In its three previous Take-Back events, DEA and its partners have collected nearly a million pounds of pills that could otherwise be diverted for abuse or misuse. The abuse of prescription drugs is our country’s fastest growing drug threat, with drug overdose deaths now surpassing car accidents as the number one cause of accidental death nationwide. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards. The following sites will be operating within the First District. A full and current list can be found here.
Learn more about the program by visiting the DEA's Website.
The opinions expressed below are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of this office.
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