Unused Pills Fuel Addiction Crisis

Unused prescription drugs are flooding New England’s streets, fueling an addiction crisis that’s claiming lives and devastating families. According to the DEA, millions of Americans are abusing prescription drugs, with 6.5 million users more than the combined number of cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogen users.

At a recent DEA press conference, officials pointed to the alarming rates of prescription drug abuse, accidental poisoning, and overdoses due to the illegal use of these drugs. "Many Americans are not aware that medicines which languish in home cabinets are highly vulnerable to diversion, misuse, and abuse," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. "Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming levels, as are the number of accidental poisoning and overdoses due to the illegal use of these drugs."

The New England Field Division of the DEA collected 67,107 pounds of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs at 596 collection sites during the last National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The event, which takes place twice a year, aims to remove unwanted prescription pills from homes and prevent them from being abused, stolen, or resold. The next event is scheduled for Saturday, April 30th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"While medications are necessary to treat illness, we need to be careful that they do not fall into the wrong hands," said United States Attorney, District of New Hampshire Emily Gray Rice. "The DEA’s Drug Take-back Day is a great opportunity to keep the public safe by properly disposing of unused prescription medication, and I encourage everyone to participate."

Local Police Departments across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont have drop-off receptacles or kiosks that can be used to dispose of unused prescription medications 7 days a week with no questions asked. The public can also find a nearby collection site by visiting the DEA’s website at www.dea.gov or by calling 800-882-9539.

Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, surpassing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. The removal of unwanted prescription pills from homes is an easy way to help fight the epidemic of substance abuse and addiction. As Agent Ferguson emphasized, "Please take the time to clean out your medicine cabinet and make your home safe from drug theft and abuse."

Residents of New England are encouraged to participate in the upcoming National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 30th and help keep their communities safe from the dangers of unused prescription drugs.