It appears the recent drug “Take Back Day” organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, was a big success.

Doug Coleman, special agent in charge of the DEA Phoenix office, said more than 10,000 pounds of prescription medications were collected in one day.

On Oct. 26, 10,303 pounds (5.15 tons) of prescription medications were collected from citizens at more than 90 locations manned by more than 60 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies that partnered with DEA on the event.

According to MCSO Capt. Joe Rodriquez, commander for District 7 based in Fountain Hills, deputies collected 244.7 pounds from two sites in the district.

At Town Hall in Fountain Hills there were 218.8 pounds dropped off, and at the Rio Verde Fire District station there were 29.9 pounds received.

Rodriquez said the district finished second only to Sun City, which had 329 pounds dropped off.

The Fountain Hills Drug Coalition had tables set up at the Town Hall site, giving out information about the coalition and its two major programs, Text A Tip and Safe Homes Network.

29 tons

When added to the collections from DEA’s previous five Take-Back events, more than 58,000 pounds (29 tons) of prescription medications have been removed from circulation.

“The overwhelming public response to DEA’s seventh statewide Take-Back event not only rid homes of potentially harmful prescription drugs, but was an unprecedented opportunity to educate everyone about the growing prescription drug abuse problem,” Coleman said.

“These events are only made possible through the dedicated work and commitment of our state, local and tribal law enforcement partners, and DEA thanks each and every one of them for their efforts on behalf of the American people.”

The response demonstrates the public’s continued appreciation and need for the opportunity to discard unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs from medicine cabinets, bedside tables and kitchen drawers.

The DEA’s Take-Back events are a significant piece of the White House’s prescription drug abuse prevention strategy released in 2011 by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Disposal of unwanted, unused or expired drugs is one of four strategies for reducing prescription drug abuse and diversion laid out in “Epidemic: Responding to America’s Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis.”

The other strategies include education of health care providers, patients, parents and youth; enhancing and encouraging the establishment of prescription drug monitoring programs in all the states; and increased enforcement to address doctor shopping and pill mills.

DEA encourages parents, educators, and young adults to visit the following websites to learn about prescription drug abuse and misuse: www.justthinktwice.com; www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com; www.drugfreeaz.org.