United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW ORLEANS – Communities across the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Orleans Division discarded more than 18 tons of unwanted medication on Oct. 26, marking another successful Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Individuals from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi collectively dropped-off a combined 37,109 pounds of unused, unneeded, or expired medication for the 27th bi-annual event.

“Communities across the New Orleans Division disposed of over 18.5 tons of unwanted prescription drugs at 287 collection sites,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer. “If unused, unneeded, or expired medications aren’t properly disposed of, they can end up in the wrong hands. Our long-term goal is to save lives by educating Americans.”

The effort to empty medicine cabinets helps to prevent drug misuse before it starts. The majority of people who misuse prescription medication for a non-medical purpose got that medication from a family member or friend, according to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Individual state totals were as follows: Alabama, 3,507; Arkansas, 23,307; Louisiana, 6,858; Mississippi, 3,437.

Nationwide, DEA and more than 4,400 law enforcement partners collected nearly 630,000 pounds of unused medications at 4,600 locations. 

Since its inception, DEA’s National Prescription Take Back Day has removed nearly 19.2 million pounds of unneeded medications from communities across our country. 

DEA continues to expand opportunities to make safe disposal of medications more accessible nationwide. There are nearly 17,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses that offer safe medication disposal every single day of the year. In addition, many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes. To find a year-round drop off location, visit Every Day is Take Back Day | DEA.gov.

Complete results for DEA’s fall National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are available at dea.gov/TakeBackDay.