(COLORADO) — National Drug Take Back Day was a success in Colorado, with almost 11,500 pounds of prescription medications collected by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD).
“I want to thank our law enforcement partners for assisting in Take Back this past weekend, but most importantly – thank you to the people of Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming for getting rid of their unwanted, unneeded, or expired medications,” said DEA RMFD Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen. “Together, people in our four-state DEA Division turned in more than 12 tons of prescription medications. Getting these items out of homes can be an important step in preventing potential misuse.”
The following is a breakdown of medications collected in the RMFD from Take Back Day Oct. 26:
- 11,471 lbs. in CO
- 9,595 lbs. in UT
- 1,453 lbs. in MT
- 1,503 lbs. in WY
Rocky Mountain Field Division total weight: 24,022 lbs. (12 tons)
While “Every Day is Take Back Day” thanks to year-round participating collection sites, the national designation reminds people to properly dispose of medications instead of throwing or flushing them away.