DEA New England Field Division sets record collecting over 57 tons of prescription drugs, electronic vaping devices and cartridges during the 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
BOSTON – The final tally is in from the 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 26, 2020. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division and its partners, over the course of four hours, collected 115,944.24 pounds or over 57 tons of expired, unused, unwanted prescription drugs, electronic vaping devices and cartridges at 586 collection sites throughout New England. This is in comparison to the first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in September 2010, when the division collected 25,810 pounds of unwanted drugs.
“Thanks to the public over 57 tons of unwanted, expired, unused, prescription drugs, electronic vaping devices and cartridges have now been taken out of harm’s way across New England,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.“Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. These events are only made possible through the hard work of our law enforcement, coalitions and community partners and DEA thanks each and every one of them for their efforts in making this initiative a huge success.”
The following is a breakdown of collected weights in pounds for the six New England States:
CT – 8,002.5 lbs
MA – 40,284.81 lbs
ME – 40,100 lbs
NH – 16,840 lbs
RI – 6,218.70 lbs
VT – 4,498.23 lbs
Total- 115,944.24 lbs
