National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national, tribal and community partners will hold the 15th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day across the country on Saturday, April 28.
This comes after collecting more than 9 million pounds of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications at 14 previous events over the past 7 years.
The service is free and anonymous.
DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that flushing these drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash posed potential safety and health hazards.
More than 5,600 collection sites manned by almost 4,500 partner law enforcement agencies will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time this weekend. You can find a nearby collection site here or by calling 800-882-9539.
“If you had a chance to save someone you loved, would you do it? Do it this Saturday. It’s Free, Anonymous, and Fast. Dispose of your unused, unwanted, expired medications. Your action can prevent drug use, experimentation and harm to those you care about most,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers.
The purpose of this event is to address a vital public safety and public health issue. The rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
