October 18, 2016
Contact: Brian McNeal
Phone Number: (571) 362-1498
For Immediate Release

DEA And Community Partners In Kentucky Hold Prescription Drug Take Back Day On Saturday

50 Take Back locations across the Bluegrass State

DETROIT - DEA reprises this weekend one of its most popular community programs:  National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  On Saturday, October 22nd, 2016, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the public can dispose of their unused, unwanted prescription medications at one of 4,700 collection sites nationwide, and 50 sites in Kentucky, operated by 3,800 local law enforcement agencies and other community partners.  The service is free of charge, no questions asked.

America is presently experiencing an epidemic of addiction, overdose and death due to abuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers.  6.4 million Americans age 12 and over, which is 2.4% of the population-abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which was released last month.  That is more people than abuse cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and methamphetamines combined.  Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms.  The majority of prescription drug abusers report that they obtain their drugs from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Last April, during its 11th Take Back Day, the DEA and over 4,200 of its national, tribal, and community law enforcement partners collected 893,498 (about 447 tons) of unwanted prescription drugs at almost 5,400 collection sites.  Since the program began six years ago, about 6.4 million (about 3,200 tons) of drugs have been collected. That’s more than a quarter pound of pills for each of the 25 million children aged 12 to 17 in America, pills that won’t result in abuse or overdose.  

The public can find a nearby collection site by visiting www.dea.gov, clicking on the “Got Drugs?” icon, and following the links to a database where they enter their zip code.  Or they can call 800-882-9539.  Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites-liquids and needles or other sharps will not be accepted.