United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Nashville District Office is partnering with national, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials, as well as community coalition groups, to hold its 10th state-wide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.  This one-day event will make it convenient for the public to rid their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs. At the event, Tennesseans will be able to drop off their expired, unused, and unwanted pills at sites across the state free of charge, no questions asked.  By doing so, they will help prevent prescription drug abuse and theft. Tennesseans participating in DEA’s last take-back, held on September 27, 2014, yielded 11,510 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at sites set up throughout the state.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day addresses vital public safety and health issues. 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 alarmingly high, 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 medications, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away - posing safety and environmental hazards.

Daniel R. Salter, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division said, “DEA is committed to making our communities safer by raising public awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. The Prescription Drug Take-Back program will allow Americans to properly and safely dispose of their prescription medication which could otherwise be abused for non-medical purposes. This event is free and anonymous. Simply turn in your unused, unwanted, unneeded medication, no questions asked. This is just one of example of how DEA is working hand-in-hand with its law enforcement and community partners in an effort to stem the tide of prescription drug abuse.”  

The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justthinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.