DEA holds 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- The DEA is holding its 19th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24.
This Drug Take Back day is set to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way to properly dispose of prescription drugs, while simultaneously educating the public on the potential for abuse of medications.
To find a location near you to dispose of prescription drugs, click here. All collection sites will take safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among participants and law enforcement.
The DEA will be collecting tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. They’ll also be accepting vape pens and any other kind of e-cigarettes as long as the batteries have been taken out.
“Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Together with our partners, we are not only holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, but offering other ways to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea.
DEA Special Agent in Charge, Brian D. Boyle said, “Our take-back events highlight the problems associated to prescription drug abuse and gives our citizens an opportunity to contribute to the solution,”
Boyle Continued, “These efforts help remove unwanted, expired and unused prescription pills that can be abused, stolen or resold which helps our continued dedication to combat the prescription pill, fentanyl and heroin epidemic of substance abuse and addiction.”
Though October 24 will be National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can always be disposed at any of the 11,000 DEA authorized collectors year round. For more information, click here.
For more information on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find a collection site near you, visit www.deatakeback.com.
©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020
