Kentucky law enforcement officials are gearing up for another “Take Back Program” to collect unused prescription drugs. Last spring the state collected 11,152 pounds. But, the costs for the program are high and there might be another way to pay for it.
The Drug Enforcement Agency’s fifth annual national program partners with the Kentucky State Police and other drug enforcement officials to staff drop off locations and transport unused prescription drugs to disposal sites. DEA spokesman Martin Redd says the program translates into hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs for extra man hours, truck rentals, incinerator costs and an awareness campaign.
“But the reward we get out of it is great and getting all of the drugs, the tons of drugs that we get out of medicine cabinets and houses so it won't get onto the street is phenomenal.” Redd said.
In California, Alameda County has passed a nationally unprecedented law requiring the pharmaceutical industry to pay to get rid of prescription drugs, shifting the burden from taxpayers to the industry itself.
