By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com
It’s that time of year again for the DEA’s National Prescription Drug-Take-Back Day.
The DEA has announced the program will take place on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People can dispose of unwanted, unused prescription drugs at stations designated around the country.
Last year, in the third annual event, , people turned in more than 377,086 pounds (188.5 tons) of unwanted or expired medications at the 5,327 take-back sites, the DEA said.
“The amount of prescription drugs turned in by the American public during the past three Take-Back Day events speaks volumes about the need to develop a convenient way to rid homes of unwanted or expired prescription drugs,” DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart said in a statement. “DEA remains hard at work to establish just such a drug disposal process, and will continue to offer take-back opportunities until the proper regulations are in place.”
“With the continued support and hard work of our more than 3,945 state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners, these three events have dramatically reduced the risk of prescription drug diversion and abuse, and increased awareness of this critical public health issue,” said Leonhart.
