National Prescription Drug Take Back Day | Saturday, October 29th

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011, to provide a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Survey on drug use and health. Each day approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

The Drug Enforcement Agency, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, conducted National Prescription Drug Take Back Days on Saturday, September 25, 2010 and April 25, 2011. Nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in these events, collecting more than 309 tons of pills (AMA Alliance).

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day gives citizens a chance to safely dispose of unwanted and unused prescriptions drugs, thereby preventing abuse of the drugs, and saving them from entering the water supply. It is free and anonymous.

Visit www.dea.gov or call 800-882-9539 for a collection site near you.

Here's to your good health!

Graf Hilgenhurst, M.D.

Dr. Hilgenhurst is Board Certified in Pain Management and Anesthesiology. His practice, Precision Pain Care, is located in Smyrna, TN.