U.S. Attorney Supports Taking Back Unused Prescription Drugs on April 27th

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Robert M. Duncan, Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, has announced his support for the DEA and Lexington Police Department, in their National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, on Saturday, April 27th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and his encouragement to the public to participate in the event.  The DEA and local agencies will be providing a 17th opportunity, in the past 9 years, to take an easy step toward preventing pill abuse and theft, by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. 

Bring your pills for disposal to the following site:

 Lexington - Kentucky American Water, 2300 Richmond Rd.

The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

“I strongly support the efforts of DEA and our other law enforcement partners in reducing unlawful access to prescription drugs,” stated U.S. Attorney Duncan.  “The DEA and the other agencies involved in Take Back Day provide a vital resource in fighting the opioid problem in the Commonwealth.  Far too often, the path to addiction starts with experimentation with legitimately prescribed prescription opioids found in the home.  By participating in Take Back Day and disposing of unused pills, you can help prevent a loved one from misusing or abusing prescription drugs.” 

At a time when prescription opioid pain relievers are killing more Americans than car accidents, the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is an easy way we can all make sure that our unneeded, unused, or expired medications don’t end up in the wrong hands,” said D. Christopher Evans, Special Agent In Charge of DEA’s Louisville Field Division.

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. The majority of prescription drug abusers say they get their drugs free from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet. Take Back Day is a unique opportunity for Americans to protect their homes and medicine cabinets from theft and abuse.

National Take Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last October, the public turned in 457 tons (914,236 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,800 of its local and tribal partners.  

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 27th Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.