DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Encourages Prescription Take Back This Saturday
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) is proud to be part of the 26th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10:00am to 2:00pm MST at dozens of locations across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana.
“DEA’s Take Back events serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding medications and disposing of unneeded ones,” said DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge David Olesky. “This event is one of the ways we can help prevent medication misuse, and it’s an opportunity for the public to dispose of their prescription drugs in a safe and reliable manner.”
While “Every Day is Take Back Day” thanks to year-round participating collection sites, the national designation reminds people to properly dispose of their unwanted, unneeded or expired medications instead of throwing or flushing them away.
“Keeping unused or expired prescription drugs around the house can lead to tragedy. Take Back Day is an opportunity to dispose of unused or unneeded prescription drugs to prevent accidents and misuse. I am grateful for the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division for organizing this important event and I urge Coloradans to participate to protect their families and communities,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser stated.
The national event takes place twice per year, the final Saturdays in April and October.
“DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse,” said Angie Pickrel, DEA RMFD Acting Diversion Program Manager.
Last October 4,383 law enforcement departments nationwide (55 in Colorado, 48 in Utah, 19 in Montana and 10 in Wyoming) assisted in collecting 599,897 pounds (300 tons) prescription drugs.
The breakdown collected in the RMFD from the last (25th) DEA Take Back Day October 28, 2023:
7,988 lbs. in CO
8,175 lbs. in UT
1,109 lbs. in MT
1,232 lbs. in WY
National Take Back Day has collected nearly 18 million pounds (17,900,351) – or 8,950 tons – since it began. Find the nearest drop-off location www.dea.gov/takebackday and remember: Every Day is Take Back Day.
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