By Linda Bentley | April 27, 2016

DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday

CAVE CREEK – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, has collected and destroyed approximately 5.5 million pounds of unused prescription drugs over the past five years.

The DEA is continuing its efforts to take back unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications at over 5,000 collection sites around the country this Saturday, manned by more than 3,800 law enforcement partners, at this semi-annual event.


The service is free of charge with no questions asked.

America is experiencing an epidemic addiction, overdose and death due to abuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers.

According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more people abuse prescription drugs than abuse cocaine, heroin and hallucinogens combined.

DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg stated, “Most prescription drug abusers get their pills from friends and family, including from the household medicine cabinet. Please remove unwanted prescription drugs from your homes and help prevent substance abuse fueled by our medicine cabinets.”

According to the DEA, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms.

Removing unwanted prescription pills from homes is an easy way to help fight the epidemic of substance abuse and prevent them from being abused, stolen or resold.

The following local law enforcement agencies will be participating in the take-back event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Phoenix Police Department, Black Mountain Precinct, 33355 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix
  • Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, District IV, Cave Creek Station, 37622 N. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek
  • Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, District IV, Anthem Sub-Station, 3701 West Anthem Way, Anthem

For additional drop-off sites, visit www.dea.gov and click on the “Got Drugs?” icon and enter your zip code in the search window or call 800-882-9539.

Note: Only pills and other solids, such as patches, will be accepted.

Please do not bring liquids, needles or other sharps to take back sites.