U.S. Attorney Christina E. Nolan Announces DEA and Partners Hold National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday

Burlington, VT – This weekend, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will once again conduct one of its most popular community programs: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On Saturday, April 27, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the public can dispose of their expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications at over 600 collection sites throughout New England, operated by local law enforcement agencies and other community partners. The service is free of charge, no questions asked and most of these collection sites can be found in the lobby of your local Police Department. To find a collection site near you go to: https://takebackday.dea.gov/.
 
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that flushing these drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash posed potential safety and health hazards.
 
“DEA has touched a nerve in America with its recent Take Back events, as evidenced by the millions of pounds of pills collected during our previous 16 events,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “These events are only made possible through the dedicated work and commitment of our local, state and federal partners, and DEA thanks each and every one of them for their continuous efforts on behalf of the American people.”
 
Last October, during its 16th Take Back Day, the DEA New England Division participated in the drug take back day and, over the course of four hours, 80,277.58 pounds or 40 tons of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs were collected at 613 collection sites throughout New England.
 
The following was the breakdown of collected weights for the six New England states:
 
CT             4,792.30 lbs.
MA          26,255.58 lbs.
ME          27,156.70 lbs.
NH          11,880 lbs.
RI             4,364 lbs.
VT            5,829 lbs.
 
TOTAL    80,277.58 lbs.
 
U.S. Attorney Christina E. Nolan praised the DEA for spearheading the take back initiative, and thanked state, local, and county Vermont law enforcement partners for participation and assistance with the program.  She stated:  “It goes without saying that we cannot charge our way out of the drug crisis.  As we continue to vigorously pursue reduction of drug supply in Vermont through investigation and prosecution, we must work with equal vigor to reduce demand and prevent first time drug use.  I commend our partners at DEA for recognizing the importance of prevention and for doing so much to remove excess pharmaceutical drug supply from homes throughout Vermont.  Every pill taken back on Saturday contributes to a reduction in risk that a Vermonter will try opiates or other drugs for the first time.  Accordingly, we should all celebrate this initiative.”