CHICAGO – April 23, 2013 – The American Medical Association (AMA) encourages patients to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 27 to safely dispose of their unused or expired prescription drugs.
“Unused prescription drugs in the home can easily fall into the wrong hands, potentially leading to drug abuse,” said AMA President Jeremy A. Lazarus, M.D. “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides a safe and legal way for people to get rid of the prescription drugs they don’t need.”
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will take place on Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. To find a collection site near you, visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.
Unused prescription drugs left in homes are highly susceptible to diversion and contribute to the public health epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Improper drug disposal can also pose a threat to the environment and public health. About 46 million Americans have been exposed to prescription drugs through their drinking water.
The AMA also offers physicians other free educational resources to help combat prescription drug abuse and diversion. The AMA currently offers archived webinars on topics addressing responsible opioid prescribing. To learn more about the AMA’s efforts to combat prescription drug abuse and diversion, visit AMA-assn.org/go/stopdrugabuse.
