LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA’s Las Vegas Division encourage Nevadans to participate in the 18th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by dropping-off their expired, unused and unwanted medications on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 19 collection sites.
“For the first time during Take Back Day, collection sites will accept vaping devices and cartridges - in addition to tablets, capsules, patches, and other medications in solid forms - at any of its drop-off locations," said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada. “Take Back Day is the safest way to stop unused, expired prescription medications from being abused or diverted. I encourage Nevadans to clean out their medicine cabinets and nightstands, and take advantage of this free, anonymous service offered by DEA and community partners."
“Often times prescription medications are misused or stolen from home medicine cabinets so this is a great way for the public to be a part of the solution and dispose of these potentially dangerous drugs in an environmentally safe manner," said DEA Nevada Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill.
Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study showed that most of the abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
As a result of the past 17 Take Back Days nationwide, the DEA and its partners have collected and removed a total of nearly 12 million pounds (more than 5,900 tons) of expired, unused prescription medications.
You can find a collection site near you at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 1-800-882-9539.
For more information about the harms of opioids and youth vaping, visit: www.dea.gov, www.justthinktwice.gov, and www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
