NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION TAKE BACK DAY

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION TAKE BACK DAY

April 19, 2021

El Paso, TX – On Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide the public the opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

The Sheriff’s Office will designate two locations as DEA collection sites for this event. To ensure the safety of all participants, this year the event will be conducted as a curbside or drive-thru. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles, only pills or patches.)

· East Montana Patrol Station – 12501 Montana Ave.

· Northwest Patrol Station – 435 E. Vinton Rd, Suite D.

In October 2020, Americans turned in 493 tons of prescription drugs at more than 4,587 sites operated by the DEA and 4,153 state and local law enforcement partners. 

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines unattended in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, 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.  Year after year the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health show the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are secretly obtained from family and friends. In addition, Americans are now advised their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash - pose potential safety and health hazards.