U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey is urging residents in the Northern District of West Virginia to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, scheduled for Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place at various locations across the region and the country.
The initiative, now in its 29th year, allows people to safely dispose of unneeded prescription medications, including tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of drugs. According to U.S. Attorney Harvey, “While drug overdose deaths are down nearly 40% in West Virginia, there’s still work to do. Every death is a significant loss. Lives lost are someone’s sister, brother, father, mother. Disposing of prescription drugs safely is an important preventative step.”
The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has been running for sixteen years and aims to prevent drug misuse and abuse by helping Americans dispose of old, unwanted, or expired medications. The event provides free and anonymous disposal services at nearly 4,500 drop-off locations nationwide.
Since its inception, the program has collected more than 19.8 million pounds (10,000 tons) of medication in partnership with local law enforcement agencies.
Organizers note that collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, or illicit drugs. Liquid products like cough syrup should be kept sealed in their original containers with tightly closed caps to prevent leakage.
Residents seeking more information or looking for a nearby collection site can visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
