Take-Back Initiative Hailed An Overwhelming Success
Metro Louisville Safely Disposed of 1,839 Pounds of Prescription Medications
– Law enforcement agencies teamed with Jefferson County Public Schools to successfully increase awareness of prescription drug abuse among teens during DEA Take-Back event
LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentuckiana residents assisted in dramatically reducing the risk of students abusing pain pills by ridding their homes Saturday of 1,839 pounds of unused prescription pain medications dropped off at nine metro Louisville locations announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky and DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Gorman.
For the first time, federal and local law enforcement agencies partnered with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) during the National Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative. JCPS offered a medication collection site at the VanHoose Education Center.
Current research shows teenagers may believe prescription drugs are “safe” because they are legal when prescribed by a healthcare professional. However, when misused, or abused, these opiate based drugs including Hydrocodone and Oxycodone can become just as deadly as illicit substances.
“Overwhelmingly local families responded to our urgent message by cleaning out medicine cabinets, safely ridding their homes of unwanted and expired prescription medications and reducing a potential source of supply for teenagers,” stated U.S. Attorney Hale. “This was a great success due to the assistance of Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad, Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey and Superintendent Donna Hargens’ commitment to increasing parental awareness of the dangers of prescription pain pills.” Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies stationed at the VanHoose Take-Back site collected 12 garbage-sized bags of medications totaling 90 pounds, during the four hour initiative.
The three prior National Prescription Drug Take-Back days resulted in removing nearly 500 tons of unneeded medication from circulation in our communities. Kentucky is ranked fourth in the nation among the most medicated states.
The Prescription Drug Take-Back is part of a nationwide effort sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
More information on how to properly dispose of unused medicines can be found at FDA: Disposal of Unused Medicines
