According to a report by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, prescription drugs are the second most commonly used illicit substance, just behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine. Of the more than 13 million people who abuse prescription medications each year, over half are classified as addicted.
Prescription drug abuse is any one or any combination of the following:
Many teenagers who abuse prescription drugs get them from friends or family, often by taking them out of containers or medicine cabinets without their knowledge. In addition to making them easier to steal, keeping prescription medications in unsecured locations around the house, such as on bathroom countertops or in unlocked medicine cabinets, can lead to accidental misuse.
People taking prescription medications can help prevent misuse by others by keeping their medications secured, and by not giving their medications to anyone else. In addition, it's important to properly dispose of expired or unused medicine. In other words, don't just toss it in the trash or flush it down the toilet!
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) hosts two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days each year, in April and October. These events provide opportunities for the safe, convenient, and responsible disposal of unwanted and expired prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. You can visit the DEA's Collection Site Locator to find a collection site near you.
The DEA has expanded its Take Back program with over 16,000 year-round drop-off locations. You can find a location near you by visiting Every Day is Take Back Day.
When the DEA's Take Back program is not an option, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests the following steps for safe household disposal: