DEA and Partners Hold National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday

Portland, Maine:  United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in announcing that DEA will once again conduct one of its most popular community programs: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On Saturday, April 27, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the public can dispose of their expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications at over 600 collection sites throughout New England, operated by local law enforcement agencies and other community partners. The service is free of charge, no questions asked and most of these collection sites can be found in the lobby of your local Police Department. To find a collection site near you go to: www.DEATakeBack.com.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that flushing these drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash posed potential safety and health hazards.

“DEA has touched a nerve in America with its recent Take Back events, as evidenced by the millions of pounds of pills collected during our previous 16 events,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “These events are only made possible through the dedicated work and commitment of our local, state and federal partners, and DEA thanks each and every one of them for their continuous efforts on behalf of the American people.”

“The DEA drug take back is an integral part of controlling the diversion of prescription drugs into the wrong hands and into our ecosystem,” said Halsey B. Frank, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine.  “Maine has been a national leader ever since the program was founded and I hope and expect that we will continue the leadership in 2019.” 

Last October, during its 16^th Take Back Day, the DEA New England Division participated in the drug take back day and, over the course of four hours, 80,277.68 pounds or 40 tons of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs we’re collected at 613 collection sites throughout New England. 

The following was the breakdown of collected weights for the six New England states:

CT             4,792.30 lbs.

MA          26,255.58 lbs.

ME           27,156.70 lbs.

NH            11,880 lbs.

RI              4,364 lbs.

VT             5,829 lbs. 

TOTAL    80,277.68 lbs.