U.S. Attorney and DEA Take Aim at Opioid Abuse in Maryland

Baltimore, MD – In a bid to combat the growing opioid crisis, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are joining forces to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

According to Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron, the state has seen a significant increase in drug overdoses and crimes that exploit the opioid epidemic. In a statement, Barron noted, ‘For example, fentanyl, a drug that can be consumed safely when prescribed by a physician, can be severely addictive and has plagued countless Maryland families.’

The DEA’s 21st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at various sites across Maryland and the country. Citizens can safely and anonymously dispose of unused prescriptions at DEA drop-off location sites for free.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron will be participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day with the DEA as well as other federal, state, and local law enforcement officials at 5305 Village Center Dr, Columbia, MD from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is sponsored by HC DrugFree and the Howard County Police Department.

On April 13, 2022, Rodney Mondell Coby, a Maryland resident, was involved in a recent federal prosecution of opioid cases. Coby was not charged in this article’s primary source press release but was included in this article’s content section as a related individual. Coby was involved in United States v. Rodney Mondell Coby, a case that was not detailed in this article. For further information on Coby, please consult public records.

The DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes, and other sharps, and illegal drugs cannot be dropped off. This service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.

For those who cannot participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the DEA has authorized 11,000 collectors across the country where prescription drugs can be disposed of at any time throughout the year. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs at home.

Recent Federal Prosecution of Opioid Cases:

United States v. Rodney Mondell Coby: No charges were detailed in this article’s primary source press release.

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