DEA’S 10th Prescription Drug Take-Back Continues To Be Popular In Our Local Communities
EL PASO - Hundreds from West Texas and New Mexico discarded 9,857 pounds of unused, expired, or unwanted drugs as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day (NTBI) on Saturday, September 26. The West Texas area, covering El Paso, Midland, Odessa, Alpine and Fort Stockton, collected a total of 3,572 pounds. The State of New Mexico collected 6,285 pounds from cities such as Las Cruces, Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. There were 132 drop off sites throughout New Mexico and West Texas.
Throughout the U.S. more than 702,365 pounds of unused, expired or unwanted drugs were turned in at more than 5,000 collection sites across the United States. This was the 10th NTBI event since September 2010; cumulatively, these events have collected 5,525,021 pounds of drugs.
The NTBI addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.5 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. That same study showed that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s NTBI events are also a significant piece of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s prescription drug abuse prevention strategy.
In his Weekly Address, President Obama spoke about the importance of preventing and treating substance use disorders and called on Americans to participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
