United States Drug Enforcement Administration

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta Division announced that the DEA Columbia is partnering with national, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials, as well as community coalition groups, during its 16th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The event will be held on this Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.  This one-day event will make it convenient for the public to rid their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs. At the event, South Carolinians will be able to drop off their expired, unused, and unwanted pills at sites across the state free of charge, no questions asked.  By doing so, they will help prevent prescription drug abuse and theft. South Carolinians participating in DEA’s last Take-Back held on April 28, 2018, yielded 8,502 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at sites set up throughout the state.

“The Prescription Drug Take-Back program allows Americans to properly and safely dispose of  prescription medication that might otherwise be abused for non-medical purposes. This event is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Simply turn in your unused, unwanted, and unneeded medication," said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. "This event is an example of how DEA is working hand-in-hand with its law enforcement and community partners to stem the tide against prescription opioid abuse.” 

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative addresses a critical public safety and public health issue. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Because the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have advised the public that flushing their prescription drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards, DEA launched its prescription drug take back program to encourage the safe disposal of medications.

National Take Back Day has received robust public support since its inception in 2010. Last April, the public turned in 456 tons (912,305 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,700 of its local and tribal partners.

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.justthinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov. Also follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv

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