National DEA Prescription Take Back Day
By Patte Smith
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 23, to provide a safe and convenient way for citizens to dispose of prescription drugs that are no longer needed.
At the last Take Back Day in October 2020, more than 4,500 sites across the nation collected unwanted or expired medications, totaling 985,392 pounds (492.7 tons). The total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall 2010 is more than 13,600,000 pounds (more than 6,800 tons).
Disposing of medications safely may prevent health risks and prescription drug abuse. It also impacts the environment, since flushing some prescription medications down the toilet or sink can contaminate ground water, streams and natural resources.
The Walgreens store in Castle Pines is a year-round drop-off location for medications in the 80108 ZIP code.
The DEA website provides a list of year-round drop off locations for the public to dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals safely and anonymously. For more information, visit https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.
