Senator Amy Klobuchar

Working for the People of Minnesota

Press Contact

Joel Gross
Press Secretary
(202) 224-3244

News Releases

Klobuchar-Cornyn Drug Disposal Bill Becomes Law

President signs bill that allows take-back programs to collect and destroy the most dangerous medications to help protect teens

October 12, 2010

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the President has signed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 into law. The law provides consumers with safe and responsible ways to dispose of unused controlled substances.

“Prescription drug abuse is a serious issue, especially among young people, and expanding take-back programs is key to combating this abuse,” Klobuchar said. “Previously consumers had few options when they wanted to get rid of expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs, but now the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act will enable people to safely dispose of their unused drugs and reduce the chance that they will fall into the wrong hands.”

“I am pleased that the President signed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act into law. The Responsible Drug Disposal Act is a common-sense, cost-free piece of legislation that empowers states and private entities to institute responsible drug take-back programs—something that federal law currently prohibits.  The effects of this law will be significant and substantial, reducing the likelihood that unused medication will be diverted by drug abusers. More importantly, it helps states and private entities protect American families from harmful substances that can be flushed into our water system,” Cornyn said.

Consumers seeking to reduce the amount of expired or otherwise unwanted prescription drugs in their homes previously had few disposal options, which increased the risk that teenagers would gain access to them.  The Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 reduces that risk by permitting individuals and long-term care facilities to deliver the most dangerous prescription drugs to law enforcement officials and other authorized individuals for safe disposal.  The new law also promotes the development and expansion of drug take-back programs.

On September 25, 2010, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration held its first-ever nationwide prescription drug take-back day at more than 4,000 sites in all 50 states, allowing individuals to turn in their expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction.  Consumers from across the nation turned in more than 242,000 lbs of prescription drugs for safe and proper disposal.

Up to 17 percent of prescribed medication goes unused, and if improperly disposed, may contribute to drug diversion and environmental problems. Teenagers now abuse prescription drugs more than any other illegal drug except for marijuana, and the majority of teens who abuse these drugs get them for free, usually from friends and relatives and often without their knowledge. 

Legislation similar to the Klobuchar-Cornyn bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA), and cosponsored by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), and Jim Moran (D-VA).  Provisions of the House legislation were included in the final bill that was signed into law.

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