DEA Hosts the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24th
San Antonio– The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with more than 4,300 law enforcement partners, will host the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More than 4,400 collection sites will be set up across the country to dispose of unneeded, expired, and unused prescription medications. This is a simple step that prevents diversion, reduces the risk of accidental poisonings, and helps protect communities.
“Since 2010, Take Back Day has helped Americans remove more than twenty million pounds of unneeded medications from their homes,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole. “By participating in Take Back Day, you are preventing potentially addictive medications from falling into the wrong hands – a small step that can save lives. I am grateful to the thousands of law enforcement and community partners who make these events possible, and I urge everyone to take a few minutes on Saturday, October 24, to clean out your medicine cabinets.”
“Take Back Day reduces the chances of prescription pills ending up on the black market and driving up addiction and devastation in communities across the San Antonio Division,” said San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Miguel A. Madrigal. “We want to encourage communities to practice safe habits through participating in Take Back Day by helping DEA eliminate the dangers of illicit trafficking of prescription drugs and accidental poisonings.”
What will be collected
Tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription medications
Liquid medications securely sealed in their original containers
What won’t be collected
Syringes, sharps, and illicit drug
Why it matters
Prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, are among the most frequently misused prescription pain medications, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Removing unneeded medications from the home reduces the risk of misuse or accidental ingestion.
Visit www.DEATakeBack.com to find a registered Take Back location near you. If you are unable to participate in this fall’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are more than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses that offer safe medication disposal year-round. In addition, many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes to ensure Every Day is Take Back Day.