ATLANTA- Tomorrow, Attorney General Sam Olens will partner with Georgia law enforcement to encourage Georgians to participate in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day being held nationwide this Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 10:00am-2:00pm.

The Drug Take-Back Day gives the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs. Last September, 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 its 10 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of pills.

“I am proud to partner with the DEA and local law enforcement to urge Georgians to clean out their medicine cabinets and discard old and unwanted prescription drugs,” said Attorney General Olens. “Unfortunately, prescription drug abuse is wreaking havoc in communities across Georgia, and many abusers obtain or steal drugs from family and friends. The DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will help reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse by removing excess drugs that have the potential to end up in the wrong hands.”

Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Citizens can locate the nearest collection site by visiting the DEA website or calling 1-800-882-9539.

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