DEA TO HOST 30TH NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY FOR SAFE MEDICATION AND VAPING DEVICE DISPOSAL
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is holding its 30th nationwide National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free, anonymous service allows the public to safely dispose of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs to prevent pill abuse, theft, and accidental poisonings.
Key Details of the Event:
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Scope and Impact: Over its 16-year history, the initiative has collected massive amounts of unused medication, with nearly 642,410 pounds turned in during the previous spring event alone.
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New Acceptance Guidelines: In response to public health concerns regarding youth vaping, the DEA will now accept vaping devices and cartridges at drop-off locations. However, devices containing lithium-ion batteries cannot be accepted unless the batteries are successfully removed beforehand.
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Year-Round Options: For individuals unable to attend Saturday’s event, the DEA offers access to over 11,000 authorized year-round collection sites across the country.
Health officials emphasize that unused prescription medications languishing in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion and misuse, contributing to alarmingly high rates of prescription drug abuse and overdoses.
For local drop-off locations, click the link below for a Google Maps listing:
https://www.google.com/maps/search/drug+disposal/
https://www.google.com/maps/search/drug+disposal/
