DEA and Rescue 180 Announce 10th National Prescription Drug Take-Back, September 26, 2015

DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg today announced that the 10th National Prescription Drug Take-Back will take place September 26th from 10 am-2 pm local time in every state but Pennsylvania and Delaware, where the event will take place on September 12. As with the previous nine Take-Back events, sites will be set up throughout communities nationwide so local residents can return their unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal.

Executive Director of Jefferson County Substance abuse Coalition, Rev. Debra Shultz says the coalition is excited about the return of the take backs. “Although we have a permanent drug box located at Dandridge Police Department, which has been very successful, says Shultz, having take backs we believe encourages folks to clean out those medicine cabinets promptly, which can make for a healthier safer environment.”

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

“Prescription drug abuse is a huge problem and this is a great opportunity for folks around the country to help reduce the threat,” Rosenberg said. “Please clean out your medicine cabinet and make your home safe from drug theft and abuse.” Shultz encourages the community to come out , and also ask that no syringes be disposed at this time, currently we do not have proper equipment to accommodate disposal of needles.”

In the previous nine Take-Back events nationwide from 2010-2014, 4,823,251 pounds, or 2,411 tons of drugs were collected.