The Sacramento Police Department is participating in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration's 2^nd annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 30, 2011.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and Health.  Each day, approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

The purpose of this National Take Back Day is to provide a venue for persons who wanted to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.  This effort was a huge success last year in removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation's medicine cabinets.  There were approximately 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation that participated in the event.  The American public turned in more than 121 tons of pills on the first National Take Back Day.

One local drop off site will be the Public Safety Center, Sacramento Police Department, located at 5770 Freeport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95622 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. For more details or for additional drop off locations, visit the U.S Department of Justice website at www.DEA.gov.