Spokane, WA — A quiet war rages in medicine cabinets across the Eastern District of Washington, where unused prescription pills feed the opioid epidemic one stolen dose at a time. On Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., law enforcement and federal agencies are striking back with National Prescription Drug “Take Back Day”—a no-questions-asked operation to collect and destroy dangerous, expired, and unwanted medications before they can poison families or flood the black market.
U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Harrington announced the Eastern District’s participation in the 17th such event in nine years, a coordinated takedown of domestic drug stockpiles run by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Spokane Police Department, and community partners. The drop-off location: C.O.P.S. North Central/Knox Presbyterian Church at 806 W. Knox Avenue. No cash, no IDs, no names—just pills and patches collected anonymously, because in the battle against addiction, every tablet counts.
“Participating in drug take-back events is one step that individuals can do to help positively impact the opioid crisis and protect their loved ones,” Harrington said. The numbers don’t lie: over 42,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in recent years—more than from car crashes or gun homicides. Since the late 1990s, Big Pharma’s flood of painkillers has left a trail of wreckage, and now the public is being called to clean up the leftovers.
Last fall, the nation dumped nearly 460 tons—over 900,000 pounds—of prescription drugs into DEA collection sites. Washington State alone hauled in 15,604 pounds across 96 locations. Since 2010, Washington has surrendered 224,037 pounds of pills. Nationwide, nearly 11 million pounds—close to 5,500 tons—have been seized in 16 prior events. That’s a mountain of pills that didn’t end up in a teen’s pocket or a dealer’s bag.
The threat is domestic and immediate. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most misused prescription drugs are lifted from friends or family—pilfered from bathroom shelves. Flushing or trashing old meds? That’s not safe—it’s environmental and public health negligence. This initiative shuts down both the supply and the stupidity.
For those who miss the April 27 deadline, Spokane offers year-round drop sites: the North Precinct (5124 N. Market), the Public Safety Building (1100 W. Mallon), and the Downtown Precinct Intermodal (221 W. First), open 24/7. Spokane Valley residents can drop off at 12710 E. Sprague Ave. Monday through Friday. For a full list of Eastern Washington collection points, visit www.DEATakeBack.com—because the war on opioids starts at home.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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