Every day, approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time - this according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.
In an effort to address this problem, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, conducted National Prescription Drug Take Back Days on September 25, 2010 and April 25, 2011. The purpose of these National Take Back Days was to provide a venue for persons who wanted to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. These efforts were a huge success in removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation's medicine cabinets. There were nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation that participated in the two events. Americans turned in more than 309 tons of pills during the two events.
Four days after the September 2010 event, Congress passed legislation amending the Controlled Substances Act to allow the DEA to develop a process for people to safely dispose of their prescription drugs. DEA immediately began developing this process after the president signed the Safe and Secure Drug Disposal Act of 2010 on October 12. While the DEA is working to establish the drug disposal process, they will continue to offer take-back opportunities until the proper regulations are in place.
The DEA has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for Saturday, October 29, 2011. The event is limited to four hours in duration, from 10 am to 2 pm, in recognition of the limited resources at most local law enforcement agencies. Locations will be established by local law enforcement agencies and will be listed on the DEA's website at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.