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BUFFALO — The Drug Enforcement Administration holds its 13th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The public can dispose of their unused, unwanted prescription medications at one of more than 5,000 collection sites nationwide, operated by 3,800 local law enforcement agencies and other community partners. The service is free of charge, no questions asked.
America is experiencing an epidemic of addiction, overdose, and death due to abuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers. 6.4 million Americans age 12 and over—2.4 percent of the population—abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health released last fall, more than abuse cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine combined. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. The majority of prescription drug abusers report that they obtain their drugs from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 tons—of pills.
Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites—liquids and needles or other sharps will not be accepted. For a list of local drop off sites, go to DEA.gov.
