BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in support of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26. The biannual event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at sites across Montana. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
The DEA will be hosting a collection site at the Firehall in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The Firehall is located at 128 2nd Ave. NW.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses from these drugs.
“Getting rid of expired or unused prescription drugs, especially opioids, is an important step all Montanans can take to help fight the national epidemic of drug overdoses. I urge everyone to participate in the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day by cleaning out their medicine cabinet. It’s an easy way to help make our communities safer,” U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
“Prevention of drug misuse starts at home. For over a decade DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided our community a safe and easy way to get rid of unnecessary medications,” said DEA Montana Resident Agent in Charge Cesar Avila. “This past spring we collected more than 2,200 pounds of unneeded medications throughout Montana, and, with your help, we hope to collect even more this Saturday.”
Numerous sheriff’s offices, police departments and federal agencies across Montana are participating in Take Back Day. Information about collection sites and more information about event is available here: https://takebackday.dea.gov/
During the last Take Back Day held on April 27, 2024, 4,607 law enforcement participants at 4,869 collection sites across the country brought in a total weight of 670,136 pounds, or 335 tons, of drugs. This brings the total weight collected to 18.5 million pounds, or more than 9,285 tons, of prescription drugs collected in the history of the program. Collection results may include materials other than prescription drugs.
During the April 2024 event, Montanans turned in 2,270 pounds of prescription drugs at 25 collection sites. Twenty-six law enforcement agencies participated. Total all time weight collected in Montana is 56,824 pounds.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 26 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.
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