United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BOSTON – This weekend the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will once again conduct one of its most popular community programs:  National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On Saturday October 27 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the public can dispose of their expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications at one of 613 collection sites throughout New England, operated by local law enforcement agencies and other community partners. The service is free of charge, no questions asked and most of these collection sites can be found in the lobby of your local Police Department.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. 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. DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that flushing these drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash posed potential safety and health hazards.

“Our take-back events highlight the problems related to prescription drug abuse and give our citizens an opportunity to contribute to the solution,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “These events are only made possible through the dedicated work and commitment of our local, state, and federal partners, and DEA thanks each and every one of them for their efforts on behalf of the American people.”

Last April, during its 15th Take Back Day, the DEA New England Field Division participated in the drug take back day and, over the course of four hours, 88,182 pounds or 44 tons of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs we’re collected at 580 collection sites throughout New England. 

The following was the breakdown of collected weights for the six New England states:

CT             8,251.6 lbs.

MA          27,126.1 lbs.

ME           28,560 lbs.

NH            14,895 lbs.

RI              3,341.5 lbs.

VT             6,007.87 lbs. 

TOTAL    88,182.07 lbs.

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