The Drug Enforcement Administration collected nearly 469 tons of unwanted medication at the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event, April 27, with a record-setting 6,398 sites hosted by more than 5,000 law enforcement partners.
In Nebraska, 5,661 pounds of potentially dangerous and unwanted drugs were discarded at 47 sites with assistance from 37 local, state, tribal and federal partners. Nebraska saw an increase in its number of Take Back sites and partners as well as a 3,239 pound increase over the last Take Back Day event, October 27, 2018.
Since the first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in 2010, Nebraska has collected 94,149 pounds of discarded drugs. The DEA Omaha Division, which includes Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota and four counties in Illinois and Wisconsin, collected 32,713 pounds of medication on April 27.
“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is more than just a day for people to turn in unwanted, unused and expired medication,” DEA Omaha Division Diversion Program Manager William Stockmann said. “Take Back Day provides us with a time to remind our communities about the potential for misuse and abuse of prescription medication. It’s important for each of us to do our part in making sure that medications are properly safeguarded and eventually discarded, removing the temptation for misuse by family and friends.”
Individuals unable to attend the Take Back Day event can locate year-round, secure drop-off locations by visiting here.
Or, to safely dispose of unwanted medication, remove medicine from its original container, mix it with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter, place the mixture into a sealable bag and then throw the contents into the trash.
For more information on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, including April 27 results, please visit, takebackday.dea.gov, or contact Omaha Division Public Affairs Specialist Emily Murray at 402-964-7950.
The next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is set for Saturday, October 26.