Defendant: DEA, Community Partners

DETROIT, MI – In a move to combat the growing epidemic of addiction, overdose, and death due to prescription drug abuse, the DEA and community partners in Kentucky are holding 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 50 sites across the Bluegrass State, operated by local law enforcement agencies and 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. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans age 12 and over, which is 2.4% of the population, abuse prescription drugs, a number that surpasses those who abuse cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and methamphetamines combined.

The majority of prescription drug abusers report that they obtain their drugs from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet. In an effort to curb this trend, the DEA and its partners are working tirelessly to collect and dispose of unwanted prescription medications.

Since the program began six years ago, about 6.4 million pounds (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.

To find a nearby collection site, the public can visit www.dea.gov, click on the “Got Drugs?” icon, and follow the links to a database where they enter their zip code. Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites—liquids and needles or other sharps will not be accepted.

The DEA and its partners urge the public to take advantage of this free service and dispose of their unused prescription medications responsibly. By working together, we can make a significant impact in the fight against prescription drug abuse.

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