United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Participation in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana Shows Continued Community Involvement in Addressing the Abuse of Prescription Drugs

DENVER - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and more than 4,200 of its nationwide law enforcement and community partners collected more unused prescription drugs than at any of the 12 previous National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events.  On Saturday, April 29, the event brought in 900,386 lbs. (450 tons) at close to 5,500 sites across the nation. Marking the 13th National Prescription Take Back Day since September 2010, these events have altogether collected 8,103,363 lbs. (4,052 tons) of prescription drugs.

In DEA’s Denver Field Division, participants in Colorado brought in 16,068 lbs., Wyoming had 1094 lbs., Montana with 4,371 lbs., and of particular note, participants in Utah brought in a hefty 17,374 lbs., the most collected in any NTBI event in that state.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

DEA’s next National Prescription Take Back Day is Saturday, October 28.

To visit a collection site between Take Back Days, go here or to www.rxdrugdropbox.org.