National Take Back Initiative – October 26th

 

 

 

# 7886

 

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.

 

 

 

October 26, 2013 - 10AM to 2PM

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Locate collection sites:

Search by zip code for a collection site near you. Inquiries can also be made at 1-800-882-9539.

Law Enforcement Agencies Only:

For law enforcement agencies that wish to host a collection site please call the POC in your area.

Partnership Toolbox

Download posters, handouts and other materials to promote National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Drug Disposal Information

News Releases

National Take Back Initiative - April 27th

 

 

Note:  While H7N9 has been the big story for the past three weeks in Flublogia – and seems poised to remain so for some time - thus far it hasn’t shown any signs of ongoing or efficient human-to-human transmission.

 

As H7N9 isn’t the only topic worthy of attention, starting today I’ll be returning to my regular - somewhat more eclectic format - and try to slip some non-H7N9 content into the mix each day.

 

That said, I anticipate that H7N9 will continue to grab the lion’s share of this blog’s space for the foreseeable future.

 

# 7177

 

Every year millions of pills are dispensed in the United States that – for a variety of reasons – never get taken by the person for whom they were intended.

 

Sometimes a doctor changes a prescription, or a patient simply doesn’t take their meds.  Often a patient dies with a medicine cabinet full of pills (a situation I was faced with last year with the death of my father).

 

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 contaminating rivers and streams.

 

And while most parents worry about the use of so-called `street drugs’, Increasingly. misappropriated prescription drugs are ending up in the hands of teenagers, and are being used recreationally.

 

 

Which brings us to a survey, released today, that shows:

 

National study: Teen misuse and abuse of prescription drugs up 33 percent since 2008

Public release date: 23-Apr-2013

New, nationally projectable survey results released today by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and MetLife Foundation confirmed that one in four teens has misused or abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime -- a 33 percent increase over the past five years.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

 

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 place to anonymously take these drugs.

 

 

NATIONAL TAKE-BACK INITIATIVE

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Upcoming Take-Back Day — April 27, 2013
(10:00AM - 2:00PM)

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013, 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.

 

In the five previous Take-Back events, DEA in conjunction with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners have collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications were removed from circulation.

 

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications.

 

The DOJ website has a handy search engine where you can locate a take back facility near you.

 

Turn In Your Old Rx Drugs Today

 

 

# 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 PM

The 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.

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