With prescription drug abuse on the rise, DEA officials are sponsoring a national event this weekend to encourage people to get rid of unwanted pills.
"Drug Take-Back Day" takes place this Saturday. Sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, more than 3,000 sites have been set up around the country where people can safely and anonymously dispose of unneeded prescription drugs. It’s part of the DEA’s effort to cut down not only on prescription pill addiction but also the rise in theft and crime associated with this kind of drug abuse.
Russ Harrington is a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Tristam Coffin is U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont. They spoke with VPR’s Jane Lindholm about the problem of prescription drug abuse today and both national and local efforts to curb the increase in addiction and crime associated with it.