United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DENVER – With robust public participation over the course of 17 prior events, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens. In continuation of this effort, DEA and its national, tribal and community partners will hold the 18th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day across the country on Saturday, October 26. The service is free and anonymous.

Now in its ninth year, DEA has collected a total of nearly 12 million pounds – more than 5,900 tons – of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events. This weekend, throughout the Rocky Mountain Region, 190 collection sites manned by nearly 145 partner law enforcement agencies will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. For the first time, DEA will now accept vaping devices and cartridges – licit and illicit – at any of its National Prescription Drug Take Back Day drop off locations; with no questions asked. The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. (With the exception of vaping liquids, the DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.)

"The DEA Take Back Day initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse,” said Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Denver Field Division Deanne Reuter.  "Helping people to dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce the addiction and overdose deaths plaguing this country due to opioid medications.”

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The majority of prescription drug abusers say they get their drugs free from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet. Take Back Day is a unique opportunity for Americans to protect their homes and medicine cabinets from theft and abuse.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last April, the public turned in nearly 940,000 pounds – or 469 tons – of prescription drugs at more than 6,300 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 5,000 of its local and tribal partners.  

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