DEA National Pharmaceutical Take-Back Day
Saturday September 25, 2010
In response to rising rates of prescription drug abuse and the dire need for safe drug disposal programs, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency is coordinating a nationwide drug “take back” day on September 25 from 10 am to 2 pm at local law enforcement agencies. This one-day event will provide residents with "free" anonymous collection of unwanted or expired medicines.
The DEA says "many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away - both potential safety and health hazards." Read the DEA's media release...
Local law enforcement must provide staffing for the take-back event so limited budgets may not allow every community to participate. To see if there is a collection site in your community, use the Search Tool on the DEA's Take-Back Day Site.
What Do We Do the Rest of the Year?
These one-day collection events help to fill a gap, but this short-term assistance won’t last for long. Local law enforcement agencies don’t have the resources to keep providing these programs, and many communities have no good drug take-back options. Washington State needs a permanent statewide program for the safe return and disposal of leftover medicines. And permanent programs need adequate and sustainable financial support.
For now, there are 10 counties in Washington that provide temporary drug take-back programs at law enforcement offices where residents can take their medicines throughout the year. Some pharmacies will also take back unwanted medicines except for controlled substances.Residents are encouraged to use these programs rather than storing unused medicines or disposing of them down the drain or in the garbage.
Use a Temporary Drug Take-Back Location
What Washington Needs
A statewide medicine return program can be a reality with funding provided by the drug companies who make and profit from the sale of their drugs. A safe and sustainable program would cost the drug companies about a penny per container of medicine sold in our state.
