In the Senate, Klobuchar has worked to pass and implement bipartisan legislation to expand drug take-back programs

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day gives Minnesotans the opportunity to properly dispose of unused prescription drugs to avoid diversion, misuse, and abuse

 

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is urging Minnesotans to participate in Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. From 10:00 am until 2:00 pm CDT on Saturday, October 22, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) 12th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will allow people across the country to properly dispose of unused prescription drugs to avoid diversion, misuse, and abuse. Minnesotans can participate by visiting their local collection site, which they can find on the DEA’s website HERE.

“Prescription drug abuse has reached crisis levels, and it’s critical that we work together to help fight this devastating epidemic,” Klobuchar said. “Initiatives like the DEA’s Drug Take-Back Day are important in helping promote awareness and reversing this deadly trend. I will continue to work with all those who share my commitment to combating prescription drug abuse on behalf of Minnesota’s families.”

Klobuchar, a former Hennepin County Attorney, has long led local and national efforts to curb drug abuse and help people overcome addiction. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which Klobuchar introduced with a bipartisan group of senators, was signed into law by the President in July. The legislation would encourage states and local communities to pursue a full array of proven strategies in the fight against addiction. To build on the monumental first step of CARA, she also introduced the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act, which would require the use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) in all states that receive certain federal funding to combat opioid abuse and also requires states to make their PDMP data available to other states. In May, Klobuchar and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced the Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment (LifeBOAT) Act, which would establish a permanent funding stream to provide and expand access to substance abuse treatment. In September 2014, the DEA implemented Klobuchar’s bipartisan Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act. Under the legislation, consumers are provided with more safe and responsible ways to dispose of unused prescription medications and controlled substances. 

###