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Got DRUGS?  

Join 97.9 The Box and our Radio One Family in support of the U.S. Department of Justice & Drug Enforcement Administration. We’re encouraging everyone to participate in the 12th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 22nd, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Prescription drug abuse is a growing dilemma in the United States, especially among teens and young adults. When a person takes a prescription drug for a non-medical reason, it can become a serious problem, many times resulting in the need for prescription drug abuse rehab.

In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse states that 25% of prescription drug abusers who began abusing earlier than age 13 ended up meeting clinical criteria for addiction and prescription drug abuse treatment.  According to a recent study, in the U.S. alone, more than 15 million people abuse prescription drugs.  52 million Americans over the age of 12 have used prescription drugs non-medically in their lifetime.  Nearly 9 out of 10 poisoning deaths are caused by drugs—both illicit and prescribed.

The United States makes up 5% of the world’s population and consumes 75% of the world’s prescription drugs.

Thus, it is extremely important that we begin to address this issue before it continues to spiral further out of control.  Let’s do our part in joining the mission of the DEA’s Diversion Control Division, to prevent, detect, and investigate the diversion of controlled pharmaceuticals and listed chemicals from legitimate sources while ensuring an adequate and uninterrupted supply for legitimate medical, commercial, and scientific needs.

For more information and locations to submit unused prescription drugs, please click here.