Health
8.5 TONS of prescription drugs collected in drug take back program
Posted: May 4, 2012 4:32 AM by Kate Richards
Updated: May 4, 2012 8:48 AM
DENVER (AP) - More than eight-and-a-half tons of prescription drugs were collected in Colorado during the Drug Enforcement Administration's drug take-back event.
The DEA this week said 17,646 pounds of prescription drugs were collected at drop-off points across the state during the event on Saturday. In Montana, the DEA collected 1,741 pounds and 1,224 pounds in Wyoming.
The DEA started the take-back program in 2010 following studies that indicate that more people abuse prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogens combined. A majority of the abused prescription drugs come from home medicine cabinets.
Nationwide, the DEA collected 276 tons of unwanted or expired medications for disposal.
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