DEA and W.Va AG Team to Take Back Prescription Drugs - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

DEA and W.Va AG Team to Take Back Prescription Drugs

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By Douglas Fritz - email
BECKLEY -

On Saturday, April 28, 2012, state and local law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The take back will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at various sites throughout the state. The service is free and anonymous, and there will be no questions asked.

"This initiative addresses an important public health and safety issue," said Attorney General Darrell McGraw. "Medicines left in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse, and abuse." 

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines-flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash-both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Last October, Americans turned in 377,080 pounds-188.5 tons-of prescription drugs at over 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement partners.  In its three previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners took in almost a million pounds-nearly 500 tons-of pills. In West Virginia, 62 agencies collected over 3,646 pounds of prescription drugs at 116 various take back sites.

There are currently 85 collection sites scheduled throughout the state of West Virginia, and new sites are continuously being added.  To locate a site close to you please visit https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/ and click on the Got Drugs? link.  Attorney General McGraw encourages a vigorous response by the public to this initiative in an effort to make West Virginia communities safer.