National Drug Take-Back Day

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is coordinating a National Drug Take-Back Day event on Saturday, April 30, 2016 (10 a.m.- 2 p.m.). The DEA regularly holds these events to give the public an opportunity to discard expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs in a safe, convenient, and responsible way.At the September 2015 National Drug Take-Back Day event, Americans turned in 350 tons (more than 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at sites operated by the DEA and law enforcement partners.Raising Awareness & Meeting a NeedMany are not aware that unused medicines are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse, according to the DEA. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many do not properly dispose of unused medicine, often either flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away, which are both potential safety and health hazards.“Prescription drug abuse is a huge problem and this is a great opportunity for folks around the country to help reduce the threat,” DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg said. "Please clean out your medicine cabinet and make your home safe from drug theft and abuse.”Local collection sites can be found at www.dea.gov, which will be continuously updated with new take-back locations in advance of the April 30 event.