JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
In the United States approximately 52 million people over the age of 12 have used prescription drugs non-medically in their lifetime, with painkillers being the most abused, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
To help prevent prescription medication abuse, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency hosts the annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. This year, nationwide take-back sites will be set up Sept. 26.
This drug take-back day gives Americans the opportunity to turn in unwanted and unused prescription drugs for proper disposal, rather than doing so by potentially hazardous means like flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away in the trash.
"The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue," as stated in a DEA Public Affairs news release. "Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse."
According to the DEA, studies show that prescription drugs are often obtained from family and friends' medicine cabinets.
"Prescription drug abuse is a huge problem and this is a great opportunity for folks around the country to help reduce the threat," said Chuck Rosenberg, DEA acting administrator. "Please clean out your medicine cabinet and make your home safe from drug theft and abuse."
From 2010 to 2014, Americans disposed of more than 4.8 million pounds of prescription drugs during National Prescription Drug Take-Back events.
For U.S. Service members' consideration, the Uniform Code of Military Justice states that any person who wrongfully uses, possesses, manufactures, distributes or imports illegal drugs into an installation, vessel, vehicle or aircraft used by or under control of the Armed Forces shall be punished as a court-martial. This may ultimately lead to a military discharge, and, consequently, trouble with obtaining civilian employment later.
A drug take-back event will take place at Base Exchange on Fort Eustis, Virginia, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To locate additional collection sites, visit 1.usa.gov/1VaLYFr. For more information about prescription drug abuse, visit
www.drugabuse.gov.