DES MOINES, IA – The ghosts of overdoses past haunt Iowa’s streets, and the DEA is hoping to offer a lifeline – or at least a safe disposal method – with its National Prescription Drug Takeback Day this Saturday, April 29, 2017. Acting United States Attorney Sean R. Berry is pushing for public participation in the event, running from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., as a desperate attempt to stem the tide of addiction sweeping the nation.
“The DEA’s National Takeback Initiative has been very successful and offers an anonymous and free opportunity to get rid of unwanted pills,” Berry stated bluntly. He didn’t mince words, adding, “The threat of prescription drug abuse leading to more serious drug addictions is real. The Takeback Day is a day our community should come together to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic crossing our nation and impacting our citizens.” It’s a grim reality: painkillers often serve as the gateway to a far darker world of heroin dependency.
The numbers are staggering. Last October 22, 2016, Americans turned in a horrifying 731,269 pounds – nearly 366 tons – of unwanted medication. Over the program’s lifetime, a total of 7.1 million pounds, exceeding 3,500 tons, have been removed from homes across the country. These aren’t just numbers; they represent potential tragedies averted, lives potentially saved. But the problem is pervasive and deeply rooted.
The source of the poison? Often, it’s not shadowy dealers, but the medicine cabinets of friends and family. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a staggering 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs in 2015, with nearly 4 million hooked on prescription painkillers. A chilling statistic reveals that four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers. The consequences are deadly: almost 30,000 people – 78 a day – succumbed to overdoses involving these drugs in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This initiative isn’t just about cleaning out clutter; it’s about addressing a critical public safety and health crisis. Unsecured medications are prime targets for diversion, misuse, and abuse. The DEA is actively discouraging the old methods of disposal – flushing or trashing – which pose environmental and health risks. Fortunately, residents of the Northern District of Iowa have access to collection sites in 50 of the 52 counties.
Locate a collection site near you by visiting the DEA Office of Diversion Control website at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback. Search by zip code, city, or state. The service is free, anonymous, and could be the difference between a life saved and another statistic added to the ever-growing list of opioid-related deaths. Stay updated on the effort by following @USAO_NDIA on Twitter.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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