Other LanguagesState Attorney General’s Office partners with Drug Enforcement Administration to promote prescription drug safety
OLYMPIA — Prescription painkillers — often stolen and abused — are helping fuel an overdose epidemic in Washington state. Drug overdoses now kill more Washington residents than car accidents. Because of this epidemic, The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other government, community, public health and law enforcement partners are working together to help the public safely dispose of expired or unused medications on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
DEA will host the National Take-Back Initiative in communities throughout the state. Those with unused or expired medications should check DEA’s Web site to find collection sites in their communities. Drugs may be returned anonymously for disposal—no questions asked. Nearly 30 take-back sites around the state are already confirmed, with more to be announced in coming days.
Washington State Attorney General’s Office personnel will be on hand at several take-back locations in order to promote the safe disposal and storage of prescription drugs. They will urge consumers to check, lock and properly dispose of prescription drugs throughout the year. Attorney General Rob McKenna will appear at the Seattle take-back site at Safeco Field’s “Home Plate” Parking lot at 10:45 am on Sept. 25. More information will be announced the week of Sept. 25.
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Additional details:
- Drop-off location search
- National take-back initiative
- 30-second radio PSA and script
- General prescription drug disposal information from SAMA Foundation
- RxIQ (information about prescription drug abuse)
Contacts:
- Janelle Guthrie, Director of Communications, (360) 586-0725
- Jodie Underwood, DEA Special Agent, (206) 553-1162