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National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Provides An Opportunity To Fight Abuse

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) - Do you want to help fight prescription drug abuse and the deadly consequences like the recent rash of pharmacy shootings?

Well, Saturday was the day to do it. And all you had to do was check your medicine cabinet.

Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and in the afternoon people were encouraged to turn in their old prescription drugs at community drop sites.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports

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Drug Enforcement Administration administrator Michele Leonhart told 1010 WINS that it's a terrific program.

"Together we can improve the lives of millions of Americans, prevent the death of thousands, and reduce the pain and the cost of drug abuse and addiction," Leonhart said.

Take-Back Day ran from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and there were 250 sites in New York alone, including Lenox Hill Hospital, the 25th Police Precinct in East Harlem, the 20th Precinct on the Upper West Side and the 114th Precinct in Astoria, Queens.

For a full list of the locations where participants had an opportunity to drop off their drugs, click here.

Will you be participating in the fight against prescription drug abuse? Please share in the comments section below...

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