By Hard-Hitting Crime Journalist, Grimy Times
In a shocking turn of events, new CDC numbers reveal that opioid overdose deaths have skyrocketed during the May 2019-May 2020 pandemic. In response, the DEA is calling on residents to clean out their medicine cabinets and participate in the 11th Annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 24, 2021.
According to acting U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis, this bi-annual event is a crucial step towards reducing the alarming rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
The event is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. Participants can dispose of tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. However, liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. The DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop-off locations, as long as the lithium batteries are removed.
Residents can participate in the next DEA Take Back Day by simply cleaning out their medicine cabinet or anywhere they keep unused, unwanted or expired medications and dropping them off at their nearest collection site. For more information, visit takebackday.dea.gov or call 800-882-9539.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis emphasizes the importance of community involvement in reducing the opioid crisis. ‘We urge everyone to participate in this event and help us keep our communities safe,’ he said. ‘By disposing of unwanted prescription drugs, we can help prevent accidental poisonings and overdoses.’
The DEA’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day is just one of the many initiatives aimed at addressing the opioid crisis. Residents can also dispose of prescription drugs at any of the 11,000 authorized collectors throughout the year. For more information on these authorized collectors, visit apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Public Health|Community Safety
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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