[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 61 (Thursday, April 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

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                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2012

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, imagine one million pounds, 500 tons of 
prescription pills piled high on the National Mall. Those numbers and 
that image boggle the mind. And yet, in thirteen short months, that's 
just about the amount of leftover or expired drugs legions of concerned 
and compassionate Americans have turned in during the last three 
National Drug Take Back Days sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement 
Administration.
  That total may well be only the tip of the iceberg threatening our 
National ship of state. On this Saturday, April 28, 2012, the American 
people and every Member of Congress have the opportunity to strike a 
blow to rid our nation of the prescription drug abuse scourge that is 
ravaging so many of our families and communities. The DEA, along with 
almost 4,000 state and local law enforcement partners are, once again, 
sponsoring a National Drug Take Back Day.
  This is a national call to action. Everyone can participate; everyone 
needs to participate, because one of the most insidious contributors to 
this growing epidemic lurks in every home bathroom.
  ``Ground Zero'' for Drug Take Back Day is each medicine cabinet in 
humble homes across the country. Participation is made simple by the 
vast number of drop-off points made available by our law enforcement 
professionals--over 5,300 sites in all 50 states of our nation.
  A resounding and very clear message at the nation's first National 
Summit on Prescription Drug Abuse was made: one of the most cost 
effective, long-term measures we can take to turn the tide on 
prescription drug abuse is prevention. That effort starts in our own 
cabinets and cupboards.
  Once described as America's ``Silent Epidemic,'' the abuse of 
prescription drugs can be openly witnessed any hour--day or night--on 
countless street comers across the country. Today, prescription drug 
abuse may be the biggest challenge of our society, and the only way its 
destructive trend can be reversed is if everyone--I mean, everyone--
gets involved.
  We are traveling a difficult and challenging path to save an entire 
generation. But, events and action on a national level, like Drug Take 
Back Day, provide simple and effective solutions in our quest to 
conquer the problem of prescription drug abuse.
  Let us act with dispatch and compassion and with an acute 
understanding of the enormity of the challenge before us. Working in 
partnership with law enforcement, not as vigilantes or self appointed 
marshals Drug Take Back Day is one of the simplest, most effective, 
prevention measures we have on our side.

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