If you have any expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications sitting in a drawer or in your medicine cabinet, you can dispose of them free of charge this Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at any of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's 5,600 collection sites.
Every day, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
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.
“Take Back Day helps to keep drugs out of the hands of abusers and potentially save lives by removing unused painkillers and controlled drugs from homes,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “The more unused painkillers or controlled drugs we can help to remove from homes, the more potential lives will be saved. The home medicine cabinet is a frequent target of prescription drug abusers and often provides access to prescription medication. We need the help of the public to dispose of this unwanted source of abuse. Take Back Day is an effective tool for addressing the opioid crisis in America.”
To find a drop-off site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com or call 800-882-9539. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.)