DEA Safely Disposes of 620,000 Pounds of Unused Medications on 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
NEW ORLEANS – DEA and nearly 4,500 law enforcement agencies joined forces last month to dispose of more than 620,000 pounds of unneeded and expired medications in an effort to prevent drug misuse and abuse. The spring collection event marked DEA’s 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The DEA New Orleans Division collected over 41,348 pounds across Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Since its inception 16 years ago, DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans safely remove nearly 19.8 million pounds of expired, unwanted, or unused medications from their homes.
“We want to thank our state, local, and tribal partners for their continued support of DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “For sixteen years you have continued to show up to protect your communities by helping to remove the threat of medications from falling into the wrong hands. This program would not be possible without the support of our law enforcement and community partners.”
“The results speak for themselves: over 20 tons of potentially harmful medications are now out of circulation thanks to the participation of communities in Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi,” said DEA New Orleans Division Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer. “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day demonstrates the power of collective action, and we thank everyone for their invaluable contribution to a safer region.”
If you missed National Prescription Drug Take Back Day or want to clean your medicine cabinet out on a semi-regular basis, safe disposal options are available year-round. Nearly 17,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and other authorized collectors nationwide continue to provide secure medication drop boxes, and many police departments offer permanent collection locations. To find a year-round drop off location, visit Every Day is Take Back Day.
Complete results for DEA’s spring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are available at Take Back Day.
