october 7, 2015

Arizonans turn in 5 tons of prescription drugs to DEA

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DEA’s 10th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day a huge success

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finalized the collection and tally of prescription drugs turned in by citizens across Arizona in conjunction with DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. In all, over 10,601 pounds of controlled substances were removed from homes throughout the state in a cooperative effort to safely dispose of dangerous drugs and prevent the onset of drug addiction. 

DEA, along with federal, state and local law enforcement partners in over 75 locations throughout Arizona, hosted collection sites to return all unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe and anonymous disposal.


“Arizonans responded to the increasing threat of opioid addiction and showed up in huge numbers,” said Douglas Coleman, Special Agent in Charge of DEA in Arizona. “DEA will continue to sponsor these Take Back events and work with the community to curb the onset of addiction.”

To date, Arizonans have turned in 90,400 pounds of controlled substances. Nearly 12 percent of that total amount was collected this past Saturday. 

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