The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

In addition, the Town of Warwick Police Department, located at 132 Kings Highway, Warwick NY, has installed a Drug Collection Unit in its lobby, which is under 24 hour surveillance for safety. Community members can now dispose of their household drugs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no questions asked.

In 2015, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in 10 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of pills.  Collection sites in every local community can be found by going to www.dea.gov . This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations.