CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The number of unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs that were turned in during last Saturday’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day in West Virginia set a record, according to federal officials.
The total was 4,976 pounds or almost 2.5 tons of prescribed medications.
“What this says is West Virginians have, yet again, responded overwhelmingly in our ongoing fight against prescription drug abuse,” said Booth Goodwin, U.S. Attorney for West Virginia’s Southern District.
Goodwin said the previous record of prescription pills dropped off was set back in April when 4,642 pounds were collected.
“When people take unwanted and expired prescriptions out of their homes and dispose of them properly, it immeasurably helps our fight against prescription drug abuse,” said Suzan Williamson, DEA Resident Agent for West Virginia.
In all, more than 130 sites collection sites were set up throughout West Virginia last Saturday. Nationwide, upwards of 5,100 locations participated in the event.
“A lot of credit goes to the DEA and, especially, state and local law enforcement and all the West Virginians who made this possible,” said Goodwin.
“West Virginians are committed to getting involved in this very critical problem and doing something about it and they should be very proud that something like this is occurring.”
During the past six National Prescription Drug Take Back events, DEA officials said more than two million pounds, or 1,409 tons, of prescription drugs have been collected across the United States.