Drug Take Back Day sucessful in the region, country

Saturday, April 28, the Virginia State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Take Back Day saw an impressive number of unused medication turned in, according to officials.  It was the public’s 15th opportunity in seven years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Virginia State Police spokesman Sergeant F. L. “Les” Tyler says over a ton of prescription drugs –3, 468 pounds – were turned in across the VSP Culpeper Division, which includes Warren County.

Results of Drug Take Back for VSP Culpeper Division and Participating Agencies

Agency Weight (Lbs.)
Frederick County Sheriff’s Office 72
Madison County Sheriff’s Office 71
Orange (Town of) Police Department 252
Quantico Marine Corps Base 46
Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office 188
Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office 1278
Stafford County Sheriff’s Office 327
Strasburg Police Department 59.5
University of Mary Washington Police 35
Virginia State Police Division 2 60
Winchester City Sheriff’s Office 363.5
Woodstock Police Department 54.5
Fredericksburg Police Department 418.4
Warren County Sheriff’s Office 74
Gordonsville Police Department 58
Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office 111

Total 3467.9 Pounds

Last fall Americans turned in 456 tons (912,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,300 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 14 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 9 million pounds—more than 4,500 tons—of pills.

Officials say the initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medications languishing in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at shockingly high levels,  as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses related to these drugs.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows  that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. Additionally,  Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—can pose safety and health hazards for humans, wildlife and the environment.

While the DEA has not yet released a tally on the total number of pounds of drugs collected, the agency reports a high level of participation across the country.