[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 539 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 539

  Designating May 24, 2010, as ``Prescription Drug Disposal Awareness 
                                 Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 24, 2010

   Mr. Casey (for himself, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Kohl) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating May 24, 2010, as ``Prescription Drug Disposal Awareness 
                                 Day''.

Whereas in 2008, pharmacies in the United States filled 3,649,468,866 retail 
        drug prescriptions;
Whereas in 2008, approximately 15,200,000 Americans 12 years of age and older 
        reported having taken a prescription drug that had not been prescribed 
        to them for recreational purposes in the previous year;
Whereas in 2006, approximately 26,400 deaths occurred in the United States from 
        an unintentional drug overdose;
Whereas prescription drugs are involved in more overdose deaths annually than 
        illegal drugs;
Whereas in 2007 and 2008, 55.9 percent of individuals 12 years of age and older 
        who used pain relievers nonmedically in the past year had obtained the 
        pain relievers from a friend or relative for free;
Whereas in 2007 and 2008, of the individuals 12 years of age and older who 
        obtained nonmedical pain relievers from a friend or relative for free--

    (1) 81.7 percent indicated that the friend or relative had obtained the 
drugs from just 1 doctor; and

    (2) 1.6 percent reported that the friend or relative had bought the 
drugs from a drug dealer or other stranger;

Whereas the improper disposal of prescription drugs may result in chemicals 
        contaminating the environment and water supply; and
Whereas collection programs may reduce the supply of unused, unwanted 
        prescription drugs in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates May 24, 2010, as ``Prescription Drug 
        Disposal Awareness Day'';
            (2) recognizes the importance of prescription drug disposal 
        programs to reduce the supply of unused, unwanted prescription 
        drugs in the United States; and
            (3) encourages each State to establish and promote a 
        prescription drug collection program.
                                 <all>