HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011_10_20_National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
BAKERSFIELD POLICE
DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Greg Williamson, Chief of Police
For Immediate Release October 20, 2011
On October 29, 2011, the Bakersfield Police Department will be taking part in the
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in conjunction with the US Department of
Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency and Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31.
Collection points for Bakersfield are the Bakersfield Police Department main building at
1601 Truxtun Avenue and the West Sub Station at 1301 Buena Vista Road between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The community is encouraged to safely dispose of their
unused and unwanted prescription medication by dropping it off with the front desk
officers at either police station location.
The following information is from the US Department of Justice, Drug
Enforcement Agency website at www.dea.gov
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.
DEA 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.
Four days after last fall’s Take-Back Day, Congress passed legislation amending the
Controlled Substances Act to allow the DEA to develop a process for people to safely
dispose of their prescription drugs. DEA immediately began developing this process after
President Obama signed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 on October
12. Until that process is complete, however, DEA will continue to hold Take Back Days
every six months.