Cornyn Touts National Drug Take Back Day

Press Release

In recognition of the 2nd Annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) tomorrow, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today highlighted his own bipartisan bill, the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, introduced with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), which was signed into law last year and issued the following statement:

"Too often dangerous prescription drugs fall into the wrong hands, feed addictions, or cause injury or death. Last year, I introduced the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act to help facilitate the safe disposal of these drugs and protect our nation's youth. I hope that every American family sees the urgency in this issue, joins us in this fight, and participates in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events in their local communities. Every drug we take back is another drug out of reach for our children."

According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, each day approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time. Studies show that children obtain many of these drugs from the home medicine cabinets of family and friends. Senators Cornyn and Klobuchar introduced the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 to provide consumers and long-term care facilities with safe and responsible ways to dispose of these unused-controlled substances. Last year Congress passed the legislation, which was signed into law by the President and supported by 41 state attorneys general.

This Saturday, the DEA will host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events at more than 5,000 sites nationwide. At these sites, Americans can turn in expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medicines in any form including pills, solids, or powders anonymously and DEA authorities will dispose the medications safely. Last year, more than 121 tons of pills were turned in.

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