NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennesseans turned in more than 5,800 pounds of unwanted or expired prescription medicines in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's fourth annual Prescription Take Back Day.
The initiative is designed to keep prescription drugs that languish in medicine cabinets from being abused and getting into the hands of drug addicts. As prescription drug abuse rates climb, the DEA says studies show that the majority of prescribed medicines that are abused come from the medicine cabinets of family and friends.
The event also ensures the safe disposal of medicines, which can contaminate the water supply if they are flushed down the toilet.
The national event on April 28 generated a record-breaking haul of more than 552,000 pounds of prescriptions at sites across the country.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
