United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Thanks to community members, community partners, volunteers and members of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) the 26th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was again a success. This past Saturday, often in challenging weather, people brought in their unneeded, unwanted or expired prescription medications to dozens of locations across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana.

Here are the statistics for states within our Division – all numbers are in pounds collected:

Colorado 10,017

Utah 12,530

Wyoming 935

Montana 2,270

Division total: 25,752 (nearly 13 tons)

Where do the drugs go? What happens to all of it? After collection, bags are securely placed in boxes; the boxes are then loaded onto pallets; the pallets are loaded into large, contractor-driven semi-trucks. The tons of medications are then transported outside of the RMFD. Once they arrive at the designated destruction destination, the drugs are incinerated in a safe and effective manner.

While the final Saturdays in April and October are designated National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, please keep in mind for your audiences that truly Every Day is Take Back Day thanks to the nearly 17,000 participating pharmacies and other locations across the country. To find the nearest year-round location, visit Every Day is Take Back Day | DEA.gov

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