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DEA Collects 47,596 Pounds of Prescription Drugs in New York State
Americans turned in more unused prescription drugs at the Annual Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day than on any of the previous events since it began in 2010, demonstrating their understanding of the value of this service.
The 11th National Take-Back Day on April, 30, 2016 collected 893,498 pounds. The unwanted medications were collected by DEA and over 4,200 of its state, local, and tribal law enforcement.
Location # Law Enforcement Agencies # Collection Sites Pounds Collected
United States 4,264 5,359 893,498
New York 173 249 47,596
Massachusetts 147 148 25,028
The majority of prescription drug abusers report in surveys that they get their drugs from friends and family. Americans understand that cleaning out old prescription drugs from medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers, and bedside tables reduces accidents, thefts, and the misuse and abuse of these medications.
Prescription drugs including opioid painkillers accounted for 20,808 drug overdoses – 78 a day – in 2014. Eight out of 10 new heroin users began by abusing prescription painkillers and moved to heroin when they could no longer obtain or afford those painkillers.
“These results show that more Americans than ever are taking the important step of cleaning out their medicine cabinets and making homes safe from potential prescription drug abuse or theft,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenburg. “Unwanted, expired or unused prescription medications are often an unintended catalyst for addiction. Take-Back events raise awareness of the opioid epidemic and offer the public a safe and anonymous way to prevent substance abuse.”
Useful New York Resources
In addition to the annual event, there are locations across the state that offer secure drop off services year round.
- Prescription Drug Location Drop Off Locations in New York State
County Waste encourages all residents to properly dispose of their unused prescription drugs for the safety of everyone.
To learn about the waste and recycling collection services County Waste offers in your area visit www.County-Waste.com.
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