SAN FRANCISCO - The Drug Enforcement Administration announced that the 10th National Prescription Drug Take-Back will take place September 26th from 10 am-2 pm local time. As with the previous nine Take-Back events, sites will be set up throughout communities nationwide so local residents can return their unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal.
Collection sites in every local community can be found by going to www.dea.gov. This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans 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.
“Prescription drug abuse remains a serious public health issue and proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals can save lives. We urge individuals to take advantage of this opportunity to participate in this event and dispose unwanted medications at one of the many Northern California and Central Valley take-back locations," stated DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Bruce C. Balzano.
In the previous nine Take-Back events from 2010 - 2014, approximately 277,595 pounds or 138 tons of unused medication was collected from Northern California and Central Valley residents, while 4,823,251 pounds or 2,411 tons of drugs were collected nationwide.
