Over 16 million people misuse prescription drugs each year, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. This number continues to grow each year, prompting the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to make “Every Day Take Back Day.”
The DEA launched a new campaign to encourage the public to utilize year-round drug collection sites to dispose of their unneeded and unwanted medications.
For over a decade, the DEA, state and local law enforcement agencies have hosted National Prescription Drug Take Back days to encourage people to get rid of these medications. The days take place in April and October each year.
In 2023, more than 1.2 million pounds of unneeded medications from more than 4,600 sites nationwide were collected. In Longmont, 530 pounds was collected.
Although the DEA hosts these two one-day events, it is encouraging people to take advantage of the 17,000 pharmacies and other drop-off locations nationwide to dispose of unused prescription medications.
“These medications can be a gateway to addiction and have helped fuel the opioid epidemic. According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a majority of people who use a prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend,” according to a news release from the DEA. “Removing unnecessary medications from the home can help prevent situations involving not taking medication as intended or dosed; taking someone else’s prescription; and taking the medicine for euphoric effects rather than medicinal purposes.”
Click here for drop-off locations in Longmont.
