DEA ROUNDS UP 3,000 POUNDS OF PRESCRIPTION MEDS IN UTAH

The Salt Lake Tribune

   Updated Oct 16, 2010 12:25AM

Federal drug officials are lauding the efforts of a recent effort to round up and dispose of unneeded prescription medications.

More than 240,000 pounds of prescription drugs were collected during a nationwide program on Sept. 25, including more than 3,000 pounds in Utah, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said Wednesday.

“The unprecedented support received from the public and our community partners has, without question, made our homes and communities a safer place to live,” said Kevin R. Merrill, the special agent in charge of the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division.

Drug enforcement officials said proper disposal of prescription drugs is “a vital public safety and health issue.” More than 7 million Americans abuse prescription drugs, according to the DEA, and most get their drugs from friends and family members.

The Salt Lake Tribune

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