FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
May 21, 2014
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
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AG PRAISES RESULTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK
(MONTGOMERY)— Attorney General Luther Strange said he is pleased with the
enthusiastic response to Alabama’s recent Prescription Drug Take-Back Day events held
throughout the state this spring.
“Our law enforcement agencies dedicated their time and hard work to this
important project for keeping our communities safer, and citizens answered their call” said
Attorney General Strange. “At least 90 law enforcement agencies established more than 100
collection sites across Alabama. These events resulted in the safe disposal of approximately
7,531pounds of unused, expired and unwanted prescription drugs, bringing the total since
the beginning of our Take Back initiatives to 32,183 pounds.”
Since the first Take-Back event in Alabama, in September of 2010, the program
continues to increase in the number of participating agencies and partners, and most
importantly, in the amount of drugs collected. This year’s event – the eighth National
Prescription Drug Take-Back – marked a landmark in Alabama with more than 100
collection sites and the disposal of nearly 8,000 pounds of medication.
The program is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to
combat the abuse or misuse of potentially dangerous medicines that have expired or are no
longer needed for those whom these controlled substances were prescribed.
Attorney General Strange has been active in efforts to strengthen and expand
Alabama’s participation in this recurring effort by law enforcement for the safe disposal of
prescription drugs. In recent years, the Attorney General has worked closely with the DEA,
all three U.S. Attorneys in Alabama, the Alabama Department of Public Health, local law
enforcement and others to promote the Prescription Drug Take-Back program.
“We have been encouraged by the continued positive response of agencies and
citizens throughout Alabama who have responded with their support and participation,”
said Attorney General Strange. “This is an important and basic step to fight drug abuse and
drug-related crimes, by assisting in the removal of potentially dangerous controlled
substances from our homes. Many of us have out-dated prescriptions that are too easily
accessible to children and others. These drugs can also be the target of home invasions and
burglaries. The people of Alabama have been acting to protect their homes and
communities by locating medicines that are out of date or no longer needed, and bringing
them in for safe and proper disposal, and we are all made safer by these efforts.”
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
