National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Saturday April 24, 2021
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Although Americans are becoming more aware of the prescription drug abuse epidemic, drug overdoses are killing more people than ever before. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. A recent public health study found that more than half of individuals who are prescribed an opioid pain medication never finish the prescription. Attacking the problem of prescription drug abuse takes a multi-faceted effort. Here is what you can do to help.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced that the 20th National Prescription Take-Back Day will be Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Take-Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means for drug disposal, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. Since the DEA began hosting the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in 2010, over 6.3 million pounds of medications have been collected for safe disposal.
It is important to get rid of old and unused medicines as soon as you don’t need them. Some medications can become dangerous or ineffective over time. Other medicines can be abused by someone searching through your medicine cabinet. Prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or sold illegally. Young children can also be poisoned by unused medication.
On the National Prescription Take-Back Day, communities will be sponsoring take back sites. Call 1-800-222-1222 and poison center nurses and pharmacists will be able to answer your questions and help you quickly locate the nearest take-back site. Please keep in mind that many pharmacies will take back unused medication every day of the year. If you aren’t able to take medication back on the April 24th date, you can call the Poison Center for pharmacy take back sites year round. The Poison Center is available to take your call 24/7/365!
Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 and talk immediately to a
Registered Nurse or Pharmacist 24/7/365
