DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Brings in 745,000 Pounds of Unneeded Medications, Continues Fight Against Opioid Epidemic
Pasar al contenido principal
U.S. flag

Un sitio oficial del Gobierno de Estados Unidos

Así es como usted puede verificarlo

Dot gov
Los sitios web oficiales usan .gov
Un sitio web .gov pertenece a una organización oficial del Gobierno de Estados Unidos.
Https

Los sitios web seguros .gov usan HTTPS
Un candado ( Candado Un candado cerrado ) o https:// significa que usted se conectó de forma segura a un sitio web .gov. Comparta información sensible sólo en sitios web oficiales y seguros.

  • Quiénes somos
    • Sobre la DEA
    • Mission
    • Nuestra historia
    • Divisiones Nacionales
      • Operational Divisions
    • DEA Museum
    • Wall of Honor
    • Contáctenos
      • Submit a Tip
      • Extortion Scam
      • Public Affairs
      • Social Media Directory
  • Recursos
    • Illegal Online Pharmacies
    • OD Justice
    • Fentanyl Supply Chain
    • Pill Press Resources
    • Recovery Resources
    • Together for Families
    • Ley de Libertad de Información
      • Fee Waiver
    • Publications
    • Galerías Multimedia
    • Programa de Asistencia a Testigos para Víctimas
      • Human Trafficking Prevention

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

  • Recibir Actualizaciones
  • Scam Alert
  • Menú Completo
  • English
  • Español

Main Menu

Explore DEA
  • Quiénes somos
    • Sobre la DEA
    • Mission
    • Nuestra historia
    • Divisiones Nacionales
    • DEA Museum
    • Wall of Honor
    • Contáctenos
  • Recursos
    • Illegal Online Pharmacies
    • OD Justice
    • Fentanyl Supply Chain
    • Pill Press Resources
    • Recovery Resources
    • Together for Families
    • Ley de Libertad de Información
    • Publications
    • Galerías Multimedia
    • Programa de Asistencia a Testigos para Víctimas

Sobrescribir enlaces de ayuda a la navegación

  • Inicio
  • DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Brings in 745,000 Pounds of Unneeded Medications, Continues Fight Against Opioid Epidemic

DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Brings in 745,000 Pounds of Unneeded Medications, Continues Fight Against Opioid Epidemic

Noviembre 01, 2021
|
Share Article
|
Download Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Public Information Office
Phone Number: (571) 362-1934

Washington, D.C., – The DEA, along with its law enforcement partners, removed close to 745,000 pounds of unneeded prescriptions from medicine cabinets across the country this past Saturday, October 23rd, as part of DEA’s ongoing commitment to turn the tide against the U.S. opioid epidemic. Following last month’s 21st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the program has removed more than 15.2 million pounds of medication from circulation since its inception.

The DEA’s Washington Division, headed by Special Agent in Charge, Jarod Forget, removed close to 30,000 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs all across Maryland (~10,400 lbs removed), Virginia (~18,350 lbs removed), and Washington, D.C (~1,200 lbs removed). With close to 5,000 collection sites nationwide, DEA and its more than 4,200 state and local law enforcement partners came together to help the public rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or no longer needed—that too often become a gateway to addiction. These efforts align directly with DEA’s priority to combat the rise of overdoses plaguing the United States.

“DEA’s National Prescription Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue in our area,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of DEA Washington Division. “We’re working with our partners across the DMV to highlight the problems associated with prescription drug abuse and give area residents an opportunity to contribute to the solution.”

According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that last year, more than 93,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, marking the largest number of drug-related deaths ever recorded in a year. Opioid-related deaths accounted for 75 percent of all overdose deaths in 2020.

“On DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, communities across America came together to rid medicine cabinets of unneeded medications, helping to prevent prescription drug misuse,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “Take Back Day is a critical effort to curb the historic surge in U.S. overdoses. We know prevention starts at home. The simple step of clearing out medications that are no longer needed makes our homes safer, prevents prescription drug misuse, and, ultimately, can help save lives.”

DEA’s Take Back Day program is more important than ever before. Last month, DEA issued a Public Safety Alert and launched the One Pill Can Kill public awareness campaign to warn Americans of a surge in deadly, fake prescription pills driven by drug traffickers seeking to exploit the U.S. opioid epidemic and prescription pill misuse. Along with the alert came a warning that the only safe medications are ones prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Any pills that do not meet this standard are unsafe and potentially deadly. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.

Complete results from DEA’s 21st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are available at www.DEATakeBack.com. For those who missed DEA’s Take Back Day, there are opportunities to regularly and safely dispose of unneeded medications at more than 13,000 pharmacies, hospitals, police departments, and businesses working to help clean out medicine cabinets throughout the year.

###

Download Press Release
###
Opioids
US Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration

Drug Enforcement Administration

Ibrar A. Mian Special Agent in Charge - Washington, DC
@DEAWashingtonDC
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Locator

  • Quienes Somos
    • Sobre
    • Contáctenos
    • Museo DEA
  • Recursos
    • Ley de Libertad de Información (FOIA)
    • Publicaciones
    • Galerías Multimedia
    • Programa de Asistencia a Testigos para Víctimas
  • Políticas
    • Accesibilidad, Complementos y Política
    • Políticas Legales y Descargos de Responsabilidad
    • Antidiscriminación y Represalias Acto
    • Política de Privacidad
    • Política de Igualdad de Oportunidades en el Empleo del U.S. DOJ
    • USA.gov
    • Protección de Denunciantes
    • Your Rights as a Federal Employee

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DEA.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice
Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram

DEA Contact Center

(202) 307-1000 info@dea.gov
Contact the Webmaster