WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Law enforcement and community leaders from across the Northern District of West Virginia will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back event scheduled for Saturday, September 26 2015, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
From 10:00AM until 2:00PM local time, law enforcement agencies, pharmacies, and community organizations across the country will establish and staff a variety of locations where local residents can return unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal.
“West Virginia has the third highest number of narcotic painkiller prescriptions per person in the nation," noted U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “These medications are easily diverted and can be extremely dangerous when not used as directed by a medical professional. The national prescription take-back event is an important step to ensure that unused medications are disposed of properly."
Between 2010 and 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration sponsored nine national prescription drug take-back events and collected 4,823,251 pounds, or 2,411 tons, of prescription medications.
Individuals interested in finding local participating locations or obtaining additional information regarding the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative are encouraged to visit www.dea.gov, call 1-800-882-9539, or contact your local law enforcement agency.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
