Kansans turned in more than 5 tons of unused medications during last Saturday’s National Drug Take-Back Day, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.
Local law enforcement officials collected 10,193 pounds of medications at 101 locations across the state. The semi-annual event was sponsored nationwide by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, which collects and safely destroys the medications.
This was the highest amount ever collected in Kansas during a take-back day. More than 17 tons of medications have been collected in Kansas since the program began in 2010.
“Kansans clearly understand the importance of safely disposing of unused medications,” Schmidt said. “By safely disposing of these medications, these drugs are no longer at risk of accidental or intentional misuse.”
Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
In addition, Americans are now advised that traditional methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – pose potential safety and health hazards and should be avoided.
Unused prescriptions can be turned in year-round at many local law enforcement locations. Kansans should contact their local sheriff’s office or police department for more information.
