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Press Release

Record 57 Tons of Prescription Drugs, Electronic Vaping Devices and Cartridges Collected Around New England During 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maine
Maine Collects Second Highest Total in New England

PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in announcing the results from the 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which occurred on October 26, 2020.

Over the course of four hours, DEA New England and its partners collected 115,944.24 pounds—or over 57 tons—of expired, unused, unwanted prescription drugs, electronic vaping devices and cartridges at 586 collection sites throughout New England. This is in comparison to the first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in September 2010, when the division collected 25,810 pounds of unwanted drugs.

Maine had the second highest total in all of New England, with 40,100 pounds of prescription drugs and vaping devices collected.

“Thanks to the public over 57 tons of unwanted, expired, unused, prescription drugs, electronic vaping devices and cartridges have now been taken out of harm’s way across New England,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. These events are only made possible through the hard work of our law enforcement, coalitions and community partners and DEA thanks each and every one of them for their efforts in making this initiative a huge success.”

The following is a breakdown of collected weights in pounds for the six New England states:          

Massachusetts

40,284.81

Maine

40,100.00

New Hampshire

16,840.00

Connecticut

8,002.50

Rhode Island

6,218.70

Vermont

4,498.23

Total

115,944.24

Contact

Jim Cyr
Public Information Officer
Tel: (207) 771-3232

Updated October 30, 2020

Topic
Prescription Drugs
Component