PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

October 27, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://slcpd.com/mediarequest/

SLCPD Participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

SALT LAKE CITY — On Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., the Salt Lake City Police Department will participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), this will be the 24^th  National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

This event offers anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide, including at the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Pioneer Precinct, located at 1040 West 700 South.

According to the DEA, opioid misuse remains at epidemic levels in the United States.  A report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), showed a majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, approximately 107,081 people died as the result of a drug poisoning in 2022. This means that someone in the United States is dying of a drug poisoning every five minutes.

Beyond DEA’s Take Back Day, there are also opportunities to regularly and safely dispose of unneeded medications at close to 15,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses prescription disposal locations, including the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building, located at 475 South 300 East.

For more information on the DEA’s Take Back Day click here.

If you are outside of Salt Lake City or wish to find a drop-off site for Saturday that may be closer, please click here.

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