The next DEA National Rx TakeBack Day is happening Saturday, April 27, 2019.
The Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. The Take Back Day provides an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.
Last fall Americans turned in nearly 460 tons (more than 900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 11 million pounds—nearly 5,500 tons—of pills.
This is a great opportunity for those who missed previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to dispose of those medications easily and safely.
For more information, including a Collection Site Locator, public service announcements, resources and treatment information, please visit the DEA’s website.
Keep reading to learn more about why you should care about the DEA National Rx TakeBack Day.
If you don’t properly dispose of the unused or expired prescription drugs in your home, they might find a new one.
Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse.
Pharmaceutical drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision. The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America.
The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family and friends — and the home medicine cabinet.
Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold.Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.
Take-back programs are the best way to dispose of old drugs. But if a program is not available:
- Take the meds out of their bottles;
- Mix them with something unappealing like used kitty litter or coffee grounds;
- Seal them in a bag or disposable container, and throw that away.
For more information on prescription drug abuse, go to:
(The above information is provided by the DEA in the DEA National Rx TakeBack Day Pamphlet.)
