DEA Hosts Second National Take Back Drug Day April 30th

DEA is hosting the second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 2011 on April 30th. The purpose of “Take Back” Day is to provide a safe venue for disposal of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

Prescription drug abuse is a serious public health and safety issue. The most common source for access to prescription drugs is the home medicine cabinet. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. have increased at alarming rates, as have the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. The home medicine cabinet often contains unused and out-of-date drugs. Many American 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.

In an effort to address this problem, DEA, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, conducted the first ever National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, September 25, 2010.

The first “Take Back” day event was a huge success. Approximately 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in the event. An estimated 121 tons of pills were turned in on that day.

This second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm is a great opportunity for those who missed the first event or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of them.

Prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules accepted. Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted.

Collection sites in every local community can be found by going to Dea.gov. This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations.