CASPER, Wyo. — The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division announced that it collected over 12 tons of unwanted, unneeded or expired medications during the 27th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 26.
The event — which took place across Colorado, Utah, Montana and Wyoming — saw residents turn in a total of 24,022 pounds of prescription drugs. This brings the total amount of medications collected by the RMFD since the program’s inception to over 18 million pounds, the DEA said in a news release.
“I want to thank our law enforcement partners for assisting in Take Back … but most importantly — thank you to the people of Colorado, Utah, Montana and Wyoming for getting rid of their unwanted, unneeded or expired medications,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen. “Together, people in our four-state DEA Division turned in more than 12 tons of prescription medications. Getting these items out of homes can be an important step in preventing potential misuse.”
The breakdown of medications collected by state is as follows:
- Colorado: 11,471 pounds
- Utah: 9,595 pounds
- Wyoming: 1,503 pounds
- Montana: 1,453 pounds
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a biannual event that aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
While the national Take Back event takes place twice per year, on the final Saturdays in April and October, the DEA reminds the public that every day is Take Back Day. Collection sites are available year-round throughout the four-state region.
For those who were unable to participate in the Oct. 26 event, a list of year-round collection sites can be found on the DEA website: dea.gov/everyday-takeback-day.
