DEA Hosts the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24th

Memphis, TN - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with more than 4,300 law enforcement partners, will host the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24^th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More than 4,400 collection sites will be set up across the country to dispose of unneeded, expired, and unused prescription medications. This is a simple step that prevents diversion, reduces the risk of accidental poisonings, and helps protect communities.

"Since 2010, Take Back Day has helped Americans remove more than twenty million pounds of unneeded medications from their homes," said DEA Administrator Terry Cole. "By participating in Take Back Day, you are preventing potentially addictive medications from falling into the wrong hands - a small step that can save lives. I am grateful to the thousands of law enforcement and community partners who make these events possible, and I urge everyone to take a few minutes on Saturday, October 24, to clean out your medicine cabinets."

"I'm encouraging everyone to take just a few minutes to gather any medications they no longer need," said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA's Louisville Field Division. "By dropping off your unneeded or expired medications at an authorized collection site, you're making our community safer by keeping those drugs out of the hands of anyone who might otherwise abuse them."

What will be collected:

• Tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription medications
• Liquid medications securely sealed in their original containers

What won't be collected

• Syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs

Why it matters

• Prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, are among the most frequently misused prescription pain medications, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
• Removing unneeded medications from the home reduces the risk of misuse or accidental ingestion.

Visit www.DEATakeBack.comLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. to find a registered Take Back location near you. If you are unable to participate in this fall's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are more than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses that offer safe medication disposal year-round. In addition, many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes to ensure Every Day is Take Back DayLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

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