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US take-back day filters unused meds out of supply chain

The US is holding its 2016 national take-back day for prescription medicines on Saturday, part of an initiative to make sure unused and expired drugs are disposed of safely.

Along with avoiding the risk of accidental ingestion of drugs by children or pets, a key element of the annual take-back initiative is to take potentially lethal opioid analgesics out of circulation.

Earlier this month, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) unveiled plans to reduce the production of powerful prescription opioids that are fueling an epidemic of addiction, overdose, and fatalities in the US. Since 1999, overdose deaths - from prescription narcotics as well as heroin - have increased four-fold.

The DEA, in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies and other community partners, is hosting the take-back on October 22 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. local time, with local collection sites listed on the DEA website here.

Since the program began six years ago, about 6.4 million pounds of prescription drugs have been collected. Needles, sharps, asthma inhalers, and illicit drugs will not be accepted at the drop boxes.


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