From the DEA's website: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/takeback_042812.html
May 03 (Washington, D.C.) – The American people have
again responded overwhelmingly to the most recent DEA-led National
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. On April 28th, citizens turned in a
record-breaking 552,161 pounds (276 tons) of unwanted or expired
medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,659 take-back sites
that were available in all 50 states and U.S. territories. When the
results of the four Take Back Days to date are combined, the DEA and its
state, local, and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have
removed over 1.5 million pounds (774 tons) of medication from
circulation.
"We are pleased at the response of the American
people once again, and we thank them for participating and contributing
to the battle against prescription drug abuse,” said DEA Administrator
Michele M. Leonhart, who added that 4,268 agencies participated with DEA
nationwide in Saturday’s event. “While a uniform system for
prescription drug disposal is being finalized, we will continue to
sponsor these important take-back opportunities as a service to our
communities. Our take-back events highlight the problems related to
prescription drug abuse and give our citizens an opportunity to
contribute to the solution. These events are only made possible through
the dedicated work and commitment of our state, federal, local, and
tribal partners and DEA thanks each and every one of them for their
efforts on behalf of the American people.”
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and
public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly
susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug
abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high--more Americans currently abuse
prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine,
hallucinogens, and heroin combined, according to the 2010 National
Survey on Drug Use and Health. Studies show that a majority of abused
prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from
the home medicine cabinet.
Four days after the first Take-Back
event in September 2010, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible
Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to
allow an “ultimate user” of controlled substance medications dispose of
them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General
to accept them. The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize
long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled
substances in certain instances. DEA is in the process of drafting
regulations to implement the Act.
