DEA RMFD Hosts the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 24th
CENTENNIAL, CO – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Rocky Mountain Field Division, in collaboration with more than 120 enforcement partners, will host the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More than 4,400 collection sites will be set up across the country to dispose of unneeded, expired, and unused prescription medications. This is a simple step that prevents diversion, reduces the risk of accidental poisoning, and helps protect communities.
“Since 2010, Take Back Day has helped Americans remove more than twenty million pounds of unneeded medications from their homes,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole. “By participating in Take Back Day, you are preventing potentially addictive medications from falling into the wrong hands – a small step that can save lives. I am grateful to the thousands of law enforcement and community partners who make these events possible, and I urge everyone to take a few minutes on Saturday, October 24, to clean out your medicine cabinets.”
"Every year, we are encouraged by how many people in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana turn out and properly dispose of their unneeded, unwanted, or expired medications," said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Mark Putnam. "During the most recent Take Back Day April 25, our four states collected a total of 27,590 lbs. of medications that may have otherwise been flushed, thrown in the trash, or simply sat in a medicine cabinet. This is the way to do it."
What will be collected
- Tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription medications
- Liquid medications securely sealed in their original containers
What won’t be collected
- Syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs
Why it matters
- Prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, are among the most frequently misused prescription pain medications, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
- Removing unneeded medications from the home reduces the risk of misuse or accidental ingestion.
Visit www.DEATakeBack.com to find a registered Take Back location near you. If you are unable to participate in this fall’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are more than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses that offer safe medication disposal year-round. In addition, many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes to ensure Every Day is Take Back Day.
