Over six tons of prescription drugs and vaping devices collected in DEA Take Back
PHOENIX – The DEA’s Phoenix Division has finished totaling the amount of drugs collected from those agencies who participated in the October 26th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Arizonans turned out in massive numbers and disposed of 12,371.58 pounds, over six tons, of prescription drugs and vaping products. This amount is nearly 2,000 pounds more than April’s Take Back Day.
“Statewide, Arizonans demonstrated their continued commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic by delivering over six tons of drugs for disposal at DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Events,” said DEA Phoenix Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Apolonio Ruiz, Jr. “The DEA will continue to host these Take Backs 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 60 participating agencies who hosted 95 collection points across the state, the state’s highest participation ever. Cumulatively in Arizona, over 179,449 pounds, or over 89 tons have been collected since the inception of the program. Across the country, the 18th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day received and destroyed nearly 442 tons. The total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 rises to over 12,700,000 pounds, or 6,350 tons.
