This Saturday, April 30, 2016, police departments around the country will join with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for the semi-annual Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Drug injury and prescription drug overdose are on the rise in the United States, increasing the need for so many families to hire a lawyer that specializes in drug injury cases. The Utah Department of Health reports that an average of 24 people die each month from prescription drug overdoses.
Find a Location
Local police departments have coordinated various drug take-back locations around the state of Utah, including Salt Lake City. To find a location near you, visit the DEA website and click the “Got Drugs?” icon to enter your zip code. You will be directed to one of over 5,000 collection sites overseen by the DEA and local law enforcement officials. You can also call 1-800-882-9539 for more information.
Individuals can return prescription drugs at any of these Salt Lake City locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free with no questions asked. The DEA does request, however, that individuals do not drop-off liquids, needles or other sharp objects. All patches and pills will be accepted.
The DEA reports that during last year’s drug take-back day, Americans returned 350 tons of prescription drugs. In the past five years, the DEA has collected 2,762 tons of unused prescription drugs.
Make a Difference
The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that over 6.5 million Americans have abused prescription drugs. That’s more than the number of Americans that abuse cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogens combined. Law enforcement officials and your local lawyer are well aware of this fact, as drug overdoses have overtaken auto accidents and firearms as the leading cause of injury-related death in the U.S.
A drug injury lawyer will tell you that most victims of prescription drug abuse obtained the drugs from friends and family, sometimes even from the medicine cabinet in their own households. By removing unwanted and unused prescription drugs from your home, you can help prevent substance abuse in Salt Lake City and throughout the state of Utah.