DEA Washington Division Announces 20th Drug Take Back Day To Help Local Families
In the midst of COVID-19-fueld overdose crisis, DEA prepares with local partners for most important collection to-date
Washington, D.C. – With opioid overdose deaths increasing across the Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia during the pandemic, Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division announces the 20th Drug Take Back Day scheduled for April 24th.
At its last Drug Take Back Day in October 2020, the DEA Washington Division collected a record number of expired or unused prescription medications from members of the community across the area. Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, the DEA has collected more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs that could have potentially been misused or abused. With studies indicating a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, clearing out unused medicine is an essential part of helping keep local families safe.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as Maryland, D.C., and Virginia Health Departments, the tristate area has seen a large increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020. Current overdose deaths are the highest ever recorded in a 12-month period in the United States. This increase in drug overdose deaths has accelerated significantly during the pandemic, and Drug Take Back Day is one way we can work together to combat this crisis.
Members of the public can anonymously drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at collection sites (all of which will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement), across the area.
The DEA Washington Division and its local law enforcement partners will host collection sites to collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. Vaping devices and cartridges will be accepted at all drop off locations, provided lithium batteries are removed.
Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way the DEA Washington Division is working with the community to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths.
Learn more about the event at www.deatakeback.com, dmv.dea.gov or by calling 800-882-9539 for a location site near you.
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