Last weekend, numerous agencies throughout Colorado joined in on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and the results were significant: over five tons of unwanted prescription drugs were collected.
This event, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and held annually on the last Saturday of April and October, provides a crucial opportunity for individuals to safely dispose of unneeded, expired, or unwanted prescription medications.
The primary aim is to encourage the public to rid their homes of unnecessary medications, thereby thwarting potential medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever taking root, as stated by the DEA.
Within the Rocky Mountain Field Division, encompassing Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana, nearly 13 tons of unwanted prescription drugs were gathered on Saturday alone.
In Colorado specifically, despite the damp weather conditions, 10,017 pounds of prescription drugs were collected. Utah followed with 12,530 pounds, Wyoming with 935 pounds, and Montana with 2,270 pounds.
Participating law enforcement agencies, like the Lakewood Police Department (collecting 111 pounds) and the Wheat Ridge Police Department (collecting 126 pounds), contributed to these impressive totals.
After collection, the unwanted prescription drugs are bagged, boxed, and transported by contractor-driven semi-trucks to local DEA divisions for proper disposal, primarily through incineration.
While the take-back event is significant, the DEA emphasizes that “every day is take back day.” With approximately 17,000 participating pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses across the U.S., individuals have year-round options for disposal.
The DEA Diversion Control Division offers an online tool for locating nearby collection sites by inputting a zip code or city, thus facilitating ongoing efforts to prevent drug misuse and overdose deaths.
Given the CDC’s prediction of 14,675 deaths from prescription opioid poisoning or overdose last year, the importance of regularly cleaning out medicine cabinets and preventing drug misuse cannot be overstated.
