DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for October 28, 2023

BILLINGS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in support of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 28. The biannual event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at sites across Montana, including a DEA site in Billings. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses from these drugs.

“Cleaning out medicine cabinets of expired or unused prescription drugs for drop off  during DEA’s Take Back Day is an easy and effective way to help stop the epidemic of overdose deaths and addictions, especially those involving opioids. I urge all Montanans do their part to keep loved ones, friends and their communities safer,” U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

“Prevention of drug misuse must start at home, which is why for more than a decade DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided our community a safe and easy way to get rid of unnecessary medications,” said DEA Montana Resident Agent in Charge Cesar Avila. “This past Spring we collected more than 2,200 pounds of unneeded medications throughout Montana and, with your help, we hope to collect even more this Saturday.” 

The DEA will have a drop off location in Billings at the Billings Fire Station #5, 605 S. 24^th Street W.

More than 15 sheriff’s offices, police departments and federal agencies across Montana are participating in Take Back Day. Information about collection sites and more information about event is available here: https://takebackday.dea.gov/

During the last Take Back Day held on April 22, 2023, 4,497 law enforcement participants at 4,955 collection sites across the country brought in a total weight of 663,725 pounds, or 332 tons, of drugs. This brings the total weight collected to 17.3 million pounds, or more than 8,650 tons, of prescription drugs collected in the history of the program. Collection results may include materials other than prescription drugs.

During the April event, Montanans turned in 2,255 pounds of prescription drugs at 30 collection sites. Twenty-nine law enforcement agencies participated. Total all time weight collected in Montana is 53,445 pounds.

In addition to DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 28, prescription drugs can be disposed of any day throughout the year at any of the 11,000 authorized collectors. For more information on collection sites, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 28 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.

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