DEA’s Takeback Initiative Collects 25,430 Pounds of Unwanted Medications in the Carolinas and Georgia; 571,000 Pounds Nationwide
ATLANTA, GA – On October 25th, the DEA Atlanta Division joined 188 law enforcement agencies across Georgia and the Carolinas who came together for the 29th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. At 119 collection sites, Take Back events removed 25,430 pounds of unneeded and expired medications from home medicine cabinets to prevent drug misuse before it starts.
Nationwide, DEA joined 4,263 law enforcement agencies at 4,317 collection sites which resulted in the removal of 571,054 pounds of unneeded and expired medications.
“Our responsibility doesn’t end with enforcement; it begins with prevention,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “National Drug Take Back Day gives everyone the chance to be a part of the solution.”
Since its inception in 2010, DEA’s National Prescription Take Back Day has collected nearly 20,391,815 pounds (more than 10,000 tons) of medications to help prevent prescription drug misuse and reduce the potential for accidental overdoses and poisonings.
If you were unable to participate in this National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are nearly 16,500 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses, in addition to many police departments, that offer safe medication disposal year-round. For information on permanent drop boxes, please visit DEA’s Every Day is Take Back Day page.
Complete results for DEA’s fall National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are available on DEA’s Take Back Day page.
The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov, and www.dea.gov. Also follow DEA Atlanta via Facebook, X and Instagram at @DEAATLANTADiv.
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