# 6301
Millions of medicine cabinets around the country are filled with unused, expired, and potentially dangerous prescription drugs that – for a variety of reasons – never get taken by the person for whom they were intended.
Often a doctor changes a prescription, or a patient doesn’t finish their meds. Sometimes a patient dies with a medicine cabinet full of pills.
Whatever the reason, these drugs pose a serious threat, both to people, and to the environment.
Too often, they end up flushed down the drain, or tossed into the trash, only to end up in rivers and streams. Or worse, they can end up in the hands of the wrong persons, and are used recreationally – particularly by teenagers.
For many, the dilemma is how to properly dispose of these pills. To this end, the National Take Back Initiative was created by the DEA, in conjunction local law enforcement agencies, to provide a safe – no question’s asked - place to take these drugs.
Today (April 28th), there will be thousands of drop-off points set up around the country where you can take these drugs.
You’ll find handy links for a search engine that will provide you with local drop off locations around the country.
NATIONAL TAKE-BACK INITIATIVE
April 28, 2012
10:00 AM - 2:00 PMThe Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.
Americans that participated in the DEA’s third National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on October 29, 2011, turned in more than 377,086 pounds (188.5 tons) of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,327 take-back sites that were available in all 50 states and U.S. territories. When the results of the three prior Take-Back Days are combined, the DEA, and its state, local, and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have removed 995,185 pounds (498.5 tons) of medication from circulation in the past 13 months.
“The amount of prescription drugs turned in by the American public during the past three Take-Back Day events speaks volumes about the need to develop a convenient way to rid homes of unwanted or expired prescription drugs,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “DEA remains hard at work to establish just such a drug disposal process, and will continue to offer take-back opportunities until the proper regulations are in place.”
“With the continued support and hard work of our more than 3,945 state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners, these three events have dramatically reduced the risk of prescription drug diversion and abuse, and increased awareness of this critical public health issue,” said Leonhart.
Find a collection site near you. Check back frequently as collection sites are continuously being added.
