Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) urged people to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  It gives the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  On Saturday, April 28th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents can return old prescription drugs as part of a free and anonymous program.  To find a location nearest to you – go to http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html or call 1-800-882-9539.

“Most everyone in the country has something in the back of their medicine cabinet, taking up space, which they can dispose.  By doing so, it eliminates any chance of the medication falling into the wrong hands – especially those of children.  This program from the DEA is a simple and easy way to take care of these medicines and prevent possible disaster which could arise from its mistaken consumption or abuse,” said Rep. Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health. 

Americans participating in DEA’s three previous Take-Back Days turned in nearly a million pounds of prescription drugs at over 5,300 sites operated by more than 4,000 of the DEA’s state and local law enforcement partners. Last fall’s event encouraged participation by long term care facilities and Indian nations as well as the general public.

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.

“Prescription drug abuse is a major epidemic across the country and DEA is committed to reducing the potential for misuse by providing a safe and secure method for Americans to clean out their medicine cabinets and properly dispose of unwanted, unneeded, or expired medications,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart.  “Americans responded overwhelmingly to DEA’s first three Take-Back Day events, disposing of nearly 500 tons of medication in the past two years.  This nationwide community effort prevents home medicine cabinets from becoming sources of dangerous – and even deadly – drugs."

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