FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
May 15, 2013
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Page 1 of 2
AG ANNOUNCES MAJOR ADVANCES IN ALABAMA FOR
SAFE DISPOSAL OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MEDICINES
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Strange said Alabama is benefitting from
major advances in the safe disposal of prescription medicines, with records set during recent
Prescription Drug Take-Back events and with a new law that will make it easier for people to
deliver unused, expired and unwanted medicines for proper disposition.
Attorney General Strange has been active in strengthening and expanding
Alabama’s participation in Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, a program sponsored by the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to combat the abuse or misuse of potentially dangerous
drugs that have expired or are no longer needed for those whom these controlled substances
were prescribed.
On April 27, Alabama participated in the sixth National Prescription Drug Take-
Back, with events having been held throughout the state in fall and spring for the past three
years. The results this spring were impressive resulting in the state’s most successful
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Initial reports estimated that about 5,906 pounds of
medications were collected and safely disposed of at approximately 86 collection sites.
“I am encouraged and proud of Alabama’s continued support for this valuable
program,” said Attorney General Strange. “This is a tremendous result that far exceeds any
of our previous Take-Back events, with almost as much collected this April as in two separate
Take-Back events in 2012.” The largest previous one-day event in Alabama was in October of
2012, with 3,057 pounds of medicines collected.
On Prescription Drug Take-Back Days, law enforcement agencies and interested
community partners such as pharmacies, schools and civic groups work together to provide
as many local collection sites as possible throughout the state where citizens can safely
dispose of prescription medications. Each site is supervised by a law enforcement officer due
to the involvement of controlled substances. Attorney General Strange commended the
agencies that make this possible, and cited new collection sites this year in Blount, Lee and
Winston counties and the cities of Arab, Citronelle, Heflin and Tarrant.
–more-
501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us Page 2 of 2
House Bill 237, sponsored by Rep. Elaine Beech, received final approval from the
Legislature earlier this month, and was signed into law last week by the Governor.
Beginning in August, pharmacies will be allowed to accept any unused or expired
prescription medications solely for purposes of destroying them. The Alabama Board of
Pharmacy will be responsible for making rules for the proper administration of this process.
Attorney General Strange applauded the legislature and the Governor for putting
into place laws, such as this, which further protect Alabama citizens. “This law further
expands the opportunity for people to safely dispose of unused, expired and unwanted
medicines at times and places that are convenient and accessible,” said Attorney General
Strange. “Already, the overwhelming participation in Prescription Drug Take-Back Days has
taken potentially dangerous drugs out of people’s homes, where they could be stolen by
burglars or misused by children. Once this law is implemented, Alabamians will be able to
take in their old medicines to any pharmacy with an active and open Take-Back program.
This will enhance the strides we have already made to make our state safer for the people of
Alabama.”
–30–
