Statement on the Expansion of Prescription Drug Take-Back Programs at DoD and VA

Statement

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright released the following statement after Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a new regulation that authorizes the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to operate prescription drug take-back programs:

"The rule published today will enable the DoD and VA to operate much-needed prescription drug take-back programs to help combat the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs amongst our servicemembers and veterans. This is great news, and I look forward to the implementation of this life-saving and commonsense rule.

"Under current law, DoD and VA medical facilities, including the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, can issue prescriptions but are prohibited from accepting any unused medication from patients, creating a potentially fatal situation. VA-enrolled veterans have an accidental drug overdose rate double that of the civilian population, and taking back unused prescription medication has been shown to reduce accidental drug overdoses.

"To address this disturbing health crisis and better protect our veterans -- including the nearly one million veterans in Pennsylvania -- I proudly introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act with Congressman Blake Farenthold and Senators Susan Collins and Richard Blumenthal to allow the DOD and VA to take back unused prescriptions from servicemembers and veterans.

"Fortunately, the DEA's new regulation eliminates the roadblock that necessitated my bill, and now the DOD and VA can implement this program. The DEA's announcement is welcomed, particularly after the many delays in taking action on the issue.

"I thank the President and his administration for recognizing the necessity of this rule. Prescription drug take-back programs substantially decrease additional overdoses. I will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the health and wellbeing of our nation's heroes."

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