DEA Safely Disposes of 620,000 Pounds of Unused Medications on 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. — DEA and nearly 4,500 law enforcement agencies joined forces last month to dispose of more than 620,000 pounds of unneeded and expired medications in an effort to prevent drug misuse and abuse. The spring collection event marked DEA’s 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Since its inception 16 years ago, DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans safely remove nearly 19.8 million pounds of expired, unwanted, or unused medications from their homes.
“We want to thank our state, local, and tribal partners for their continued support of DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “For sixteen years you have continued to show up to protect your communities by helping to remove the threat of medications from falling into the wrong hands. This program would not be possible without the support of our law enforcement and community partners.”
DEA Miami Field Division (FD) had 148 law enforcement agencies participating throughout the state with 190 collection sites. More than 25,000 pounds of unneeded prescription medications were collected.
“Many drug poisonings occur from children finding old unwanted medications in a medicine cabinet or in the trash,” said DEA Miami FD Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “Take Back provides an important public service by encouraging people to get rid of unwanted prescription meds properly.”
If you missed National Prescription Drug Take Back Day or want to clean your medicine cabinet out on a semi-regular basis, safe disposal options are available year-round. Nearly 17,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and other authorized collectors nationwide continue to provide secure medication drop boxes, and many police departments offer permanent collection locations. To find a year-round drop off location, visit Every Day is Take Back Day.
Complete results for DEA’s spring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are available at Take Back Day.
