The Drug Enforcement Administration says nearly 4,500 law enforcement agencies across the country helped dispose of more than 620,000 pounds of unwanted or expired medications during the DEA’s 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The DEA says in the Louisville Division, which includes Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia, 40,000 pounds were collected, with Kentucky contributing 8,904 pounds.
Captain Willie Wells with the Radcliff Police Department says the RPD collected 13 pounds of prescription pills at their collection event, which was held at the Radcliff Walmart on April 26.
The DEA says the goal of Take Back Days is to prevent drug misuse and abuse, as safely removing drugs that are expired or no longer needed keeps potentially harmful drugs off of the streets and out of the hands of people struggling with addiction. DEA Take Back Days have helped remove nearly 19.8 million pounds of medications over the past 16 years.
Residents who missed Take Back Day but still have medications they wish to dispose of still have options.
“While there are several sponsored drug take back events throughout the year at various places within the community, we have a drug take back box available in our lobby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Elizabethtown Police Department Public Information Officer Chris Denham. “We accept all medication in pill and tablet form, and we are located at 300 South Mulberry Street.”
The DEA has a list of available dropbox locations on their website.
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