The Sacramento Police Department is participating in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day 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 Services 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.

DEA in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States conducted National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days last year on September 25, 2010 and earlier this year on April 25, 2011. Nearly, 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in these events, collecting more than 309 tons of pills.

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.

The purpose of this National Take-Back Day is to provide a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.  This effort has been a huge success in removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation's medicine cabinets.