Communities Nationwide Turn In Nearly 630,000 Pounds of Unneeded Medications on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- On Oct. 26, DEA and over 4,400 law enforcement partners collected nearly 630,000 pounds of unused medications at 4,600 locations nationwide. This effort to empty medicine cabinets helps to prevent drug misuse before it starts.

Locally, the Louisville Field Division, which covers Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, collected just over 48,000 pounds. Tennessee collected the most in the division, with 30,990 pounds; followed by Kentucky, with 12,642 pounds; and West Virginia, with 4,556 pounds.

Since its inception, DEA's National Prescription Take Back Day has removed nearly 19.2 million pounds of unneeded medications from communities across our country.

According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the majority of people who misuse prescription medication for a non-medical purpose got that medication from a family member or friend.

DEA continues to expand opportunities to make safe disposal of medications more accessible nationwide. There are nearly 17,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses that offer safe medication disposal every single day of the year. In addition, many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes. To find a year-round drop off location, visit Every Day is Take Back Day | DEA.gov.

Complete results for DEA's fall National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are available at Take Back Day.

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