U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND DEA ANNOUNCE NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY COLLECTION SITES

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Charleston Regional Office announced today the location of collection sites for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event provides safe venues for West Virginians to responsibly dispose of prescription drugs. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Anyone can properly dispose of prescription medication by visiting one of several conveniently located collection sites throughout West Virginia.

“People often ask what they can do to help the fight against the opioid epidemic, and Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides one of the most effective ways to keep dangerous opiate painkillers off the streets,” stated United States Attorney Carol Casto. “Take the time to become part of the solution - go through your medicine cabinets or wherever your prescriptions are kept and use this program to safely dispose of unused and expired medication. A few minutes taking part in this initiative can make a significant difference in cutting off the supply of opioids and combating the drug crisis.” 

“The National Take Back Day is an opportunity for the community to empty their medicine cabinets of unwanted or unused medications,” stated Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Gourley of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Charleston District Office. “We are seeing a lot of medication being diverted from legitimate use to illicit use.  This is one of the reasons that is driving the drug problems we see today.”

Nearby collection sites can be found by visiting www.dea.gov, clicking on the “Take-Back Site Locations” icon, and searching by zip code, county, city, and state. Another option for locating collection sites is to call 800-882-9539. West Virginians have the option of visiting nearly 100 sites throughout the state to dispose of prescription drugs. Only pills and other solids, such as patches, can be brought to collection sites – liquids, needles, or other sharps will not be accepted.