Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is honored to support the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Take Back initiative to prevent pill abuse and theft by giving Americans the opportunity to rid their home of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Last spring Americans turned in nearly 475 tons (949,046 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,700 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 15 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in nearly 5,000 tons of pills.

Do your part – gather and turn in your unwanted and unused prescription drugs. Click here to find the Take Back site closest to you.