The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is espousing the benefits of its 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 22.
“Thanks to our local and state partners, we collected in the past event in October more than 33,500 pounds,” DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge Jared Forget said. “TAKE BACK events are more relevant now than ever because many people who die from drug poisoning unknowingly consume fake pills laced with fentanyl. Our team has been working around the clock to have everything ready in the more than 300 collection sites available on April 22 across the DMV.”
The event involves the anonymous disposal of unneeded and expired medications at over 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. It includes collecting tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.
According to the DEA, collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products that include cough syrup should remain sealed in their original container, and the cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
With regard to fentanyl, authorities noted the DEA’s Washington Division seized over 8.3 million potentially deadly doses of the drug last year.
“This lethal drug is poisoning our citizens regardless of age, race, residence, or socioeconomic status,” Forget said. “It is extremely alarming that the amount of fentanyl [fake pills and powder] confiscated by our teams and state and local partners would have potentially killed 54 percent of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia residents.”