DEA announces National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aubrey White
  • 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
In the U.S. approximately 52 million people over the age of 12 have used prescription drugs non-medically in their lifetime, with painkillers being the most abused, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

To help prevent prescription medication abuse, the Drug Enforcement Administration hosts the annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. This year, nationwide take-back sites will be set up Sept. 26.

The drug take-back day gives Americans the opportunity to turn in unwanted and unused prescription drugs for proper disposal, rather than doing so by potentially hazardous means like flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away in the trash.

"The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue," according to a DEA news release. "Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse."

Studies show that prescription drugs are often obtained from family and friends' medicine cabinets, DEA officials said.

"Prescription drug abuse is a huge problem and this is a great opportunity for folks around the country to help reduce the threat," said Chuck Rosenberg, the DEA acting administrator. "Please clean out your medicine cabinet and make your home safe from drug theft and abuse."

From 2010 to 2014, Americans disposed more than 4.8 million pounds of prescription drugs during National Prescription Drug Take-Back events.

For service members' consideration, the Uniform Code of Military Justice states that any person who wrongfully uses, possesses, manufactures, distributes or imports illegal drugs onto or into an installation, vessel, vehicle or aircraft used by or under control of the armed forces shall be punished as a court-martial. This may ultimately lead to a military discharge, and, consequently, trouble with obtaining civilian employment later.

To locate collection sites, click here. For more information about prescription drug abuse, visit www.drugabuse.gov.