Police collect 18,400 pounds in unwanted prescription drugs

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – State police say Indiana residents turned in 18,400 pounds of outdated and unwanted prescription drugs to law enforcement officials at an event last month.

Police and sheriff’s departments set up drop-off locations Sept. 25-26 at 56 locations around Indiana as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. President Barack Obama spoke about the importance of preventing and treating substance use disorders.

The DEA reports that among other states in its Chicago region, Illinois collection sites took in 40,000 pounds of unwanted drugs and Wisconsin collection sites took in nearly 11,500 pounds.

Based on the success of the Drug Take Back events, plans are in progress for a Spring 2016 collection date.