U.S. Attorney Will Thompson Encourages West Virginians to Participate in DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. United States Attorney Will Thompson encourages West Virginians to take advantage of this latest opportunity to discreetly dispose of old, unwanted and unneeded medications.

Take Back Day is a free, safe and anonymous way to get rid of prescription drugs that are susceptible to diversion and abuse. More than 60 collection sites throughout West Virginia have already been announced. A location finder and other information is available at www.DEATakeBack.com.

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and death. The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second behind only marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in the U.S.

“Prescription drug abuse continues to exact a terrible toll on West Virginia,” Thompson said. “DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a simple, proven way to protect loved ones and our communities.”

For more than a decade, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications that too often become a gateway to addiction. Working in close partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 8,650 tons of medication from circulation since its inception. These efforts are directly in line with DEA’s priority to combat the rise of overdoses plaguing the United States.

DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

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