III 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 539 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

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.