Public Safety Building, 475 S. 300 E, downtown Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY — This Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. SLCPD and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 11th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the Public Safety Building, 475 S. 300 E. The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps-only pills or patches. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last September Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 10 previous Take Back events the DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds of pills, some 2,750 tons.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are advised that methods for disposing of unused medicines like flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or the April 30 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.

###