U.S. Attorney Will Thompson Encourages West Virginians to Participate in DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26, 2024

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson encourages West Virginians to take advantage of the upcoming Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to dispose of old, unwanted and unneeded medications.

Take Back Day offers a free, safe and anonymous way to get rid of prescription drugs that are susceptible to diversion and abuse. More than 80 collection sites throughout the Southern District of West Virginia and elsewhere in the state have already been announced. A collection site locator and other information is available at www.DEATakeBack.com.

“The non-medical use of prescription drugs is the second-most common form of drug abuse in America,” Thompson said. “Safely disposing of old, unwanted and unneeded prescription drugs is an effective way to prevent accidental poisoning, overdosing, and abuse.”

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

In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed 9,285 tons of medication from circulation since its inception. The total includes 66.587 collected in West Virginia.

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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