Record Breaking 29,992 Pounds Of Prescription Drugs Collected In North Carolina During 16th National Take-Back Day

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced today that 29,992  pounds of unwanted, unused or expired medications were collected across North Carolina during the 16^th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which was held on Saturday, October 27, 2018.  This is the highest total collected in North Carolina since the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began the take-back initiative in 2010.

“The record number of prescription medications collected in North Carolina underscores the importance of the take-back campaign, as an opportunity to safely get rid of dangerous prescription drugs, and to raise awareness about their link to drug addiction and overdose deaths. We all need to do our part to stem the tide of prescription drug abuse in our communities, and clearing our homes of leftover prescription medicines for safe disposal is an important first step,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.   

During the semiannual collection event, the DEA and state, local and tribal law enforcement partners collected nearly 11 million pounds of unused pills nationwide.  This brings the total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 to 10,878,950 pounds, or 5439.5 tons.

Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Atlanta Field Division, which oversees the Carolinas, said, “DEA’s 16^th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was a success locally and nationally. I would like to thank the multitude of partners, both law enforcement and non-law enforcement, who worked tirelessly to make this event another great success.”

Since the DEA launched the biannual take-back events, permanent prescription drug collection boxes have been installed by law enforcement agencies, pharmacies, and others throughout North Carolina, for convenient and safe drug disposal.  The DEA’s next official Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is April 27, 2019.  For the complete results of this year’s fall collection event please visit: https://takebackday.dea.gov/#initiative-results.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA encourage parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting the DEA’s interactive websites at https://www.justthinktwice.gov, https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov and http://www.dea.org.