DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.
In an effort to address this problem, DEA, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, conducted the first ever National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, September 25, 2010. The purpose of this National Take Back Day was to provide a venue for persons who wanted to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. This effort was a huge success in removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation’s medicine cabinets. There were approximately 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation that participated in the event. All told, the American Public turned in more than 121 tons of pills on this first National Take Back Day.
On April 30th, 2011; local counties around the state participated in the second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This program allows citizens to return outdated or unused prescription drugs to their local authorities for proper disposal.
A special thank you to the Defiance County MAN Unit as this will help keep these prescriptions from being on the street in our jurisdiction.
The Defiance County Sheriff’s office will also accept prescription drugs for disposal any day, not just on the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Defiance County received 64.5 lbs
Putnam County received 45.0 lbs
Williams County received 23.0 lbs
Paulding County did not participate
Please check out the DEA website to locate a collection site.
NOTE: The Defiance County Sheriff’s office will accept prescription drugs for disposal at any time.