United States Drug Enforcement Administration

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolinians participating in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA’s) thirteenth National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (NTBI) held on Saturday, April 29, 2017, turned in 7,404 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at sites set up throughout the state. This amount exceeded the last take back event by 2,436 pounds. 

“DEA’s thirteenth Prescription Drug Take Back campaign was a huge success both locally and nationally,” said Daniel R. Salter, the Special Agent in (SAC) of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “While South Carolinians turned in 7,404 pounds of unwanted or expired medications, nationally, 900,386 (450 tons) of expired and unwanted prescription medications were collected in more than 5,400 sites that were available across the United States.” 

Both the local and national amounts were the largest amounts collected in the previous 12 Take Back events.

“I would like to thank the multitude of (both law enforcement and non-law enforcement) who worked tirelessly to make this event another great success,” added Salter.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

DEA’s next National Prescription Take Back Day is Saturday, October 28, 2017.

The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justhinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov. Also follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv