DEA’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Effort-- A Big Success
DENVER - Thousands of Americans in communities across the country discarded more than 350 tons 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.
In the Denver Field Division area of responsibility, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana, 97 state and local agencies coordinated 217 collection sites, resulting in 28,503 pounds of expired or unused prescription drugs. This was the 10th NTBI event conducted by DEA since September 2010. Cumulatively, these events have collected 5,525,021 pounds of drugs nationwide.
“The numbers of accidental overdoses each year from prescription drugs is truly shocking.” said Special Agent in Charge Barbra Roach of DEA’s Denver Field Division. “This take-back program makes a real difference in our communities by allowing people a simple and easy way to get rid of unwanted or unused 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.
