Goodwin Announces Record Total In Prescription Drug Take-back Event

U.S. Attorney’s Office and DEA announce success in sixth Prescription Drug Take-Back Day; over 2 tons of drugs collected

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Resident Agent in Charge John Ryan jointly announced today that as a result of the April 27th Prescription Drug Take-Back event, a total of 4,642 pounds of unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs were collected from citizens and households across West Virginia.  The April 27th collection results surpassed the previous Take-Back record of 4572 pounds collected last year, in April 2012.  

U.S. Attorney Goodwin said, “This year’s record total is another milestone in the fight against prescription drug abuse. West Virginians understand how devastating the prescription drug problem is for our families, and they’re responding in the most effective way they can: by getting rid of potentially dangerous medicine that they don’t need any more.”

DEA Resident Agent in Charge Ryan said, “Prescription drug abuse has plagued so many of our communities.  When people voluntarily take prescriptions out of their homes and dispose of them properly, it truly helps our fight against prescription drug abuse. I commend all of the federal, state and local partners in West Virginia for their assistance, which has made this sixth Take-Back a success.” 

The April Take-Back designated more than 100 sites throughout West Virginia, providing citizens with several locations to drop off expired, unused and unwanted medications. Nationwide, more than 5,100 sites participated.

In the five previous Take-Back events, the Drug Enforcement Administration and numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement partners have collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications nationwide.