Over 5 tons of RX drugs collected in DEA Take Back
PHOENIX – The DEA’s Phoenix Field Division has finished calculating the amount of drugs collected from those agencies who participated in the April 27th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Arizonans turned out in massive numbers and disposed of 10,915.69 pounds, over five tons, of prescription drugs.
“The citizens of Arizona demonstrated their continued commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic by delivering over five tons of drugs for disposal at DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Events,” said Doug Coleman, Special Agent in Charge for DEA in Arizona. “The DEA will continue to host these Take Back opportunities with statewide law enforcement and community partners to provide everyone an opportunity to safely dispose of potentially addictive prescription drugs.”
This latest collection was the result of Arizona’s record 60 participating agencies who hosted approximately 96 collection points across the state, the state’s highest participation ever. Cumulatively in Arizona, over 167,078 pounds, or over 83 tons, have been collected since the inception of the program. Across the country, the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day received and destroyed nearly 469 tons. The total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 rises to 11,816,393 pounds, or 5,908 tons.
