KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Kentucky State Police have partnered with the Drug Enforcement Agency to
hold a statewide "Take Back" on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will allow Kentucky residents to remove potentially dangerous
controlled substances from home medicine cabinets. Collections can be
taken at all 16 KSP posts across the state, including Post 2 in Madisonville, Post 1 in Mayfield and Post 16 in Henderson.
Nationally, prescription painkillers are the leading cause of accidental
death in the United States, and one in three Kentuckians has a friend
or family member who has experienced problems as a result of abusing
prescription pain relievers, according to the 2012 Kentucky Health
Issues Poll. Additionally, a report by the nonprofit Trust for
America’s Health lists Kentucky as having the third-highest rate of
fatal overdoses in the country – the vast majority from prescription
pills, according to a news release from Attorney General Jack Conway.
During a national “Take-Back” day in October 2013, 647,211 pounds of
expired and unwanted prescription medications were turned in at 5,683
collection sites across the United States, according to the DEA.
Kentuckians turned in 9,171 pounds of prescription drugs at 77
collection locations across the state during last year’s event.
Kentucky continues to make progress in its fight against the epidemic of
prescription drug abuse. According to the 2012 Kentucky Incentives for
Prevention School Survey, the percentage of Kentucky teens misusing
prescription drugs has dropped dramatically over the past four years.
The “Take-Back” initiative is a collaborative effort between local,
state, and federal law enforcement and government agencies. The service
is free and anonymous.
