House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

Posted:	December 20, 2013 03:35 PM
From:	Representative Angel Cruz
To:	All House members
Subject:	Resolution urging Congress to authorize pharmacies to serve as collection sites for unused or expired controlled substances.

In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution urging Congress to authorize pharmacies to serve as collection sites for unused or expired controlled substances. The abuse of prescription drugs is a serious social and health problem in the United States. Drug overdose is the second most common cause of accidental death in the nation. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 70 percent of controlled substance prescription abusers get their drugs from a family member or friend. Many abusers are acquiring controlled substances from other people's medicine cabinets. We can prevent unused, excess medications from falling into the wrong hands by working with the public to promote proper disposal practices. Under current federal rules, controlled substances can only be surrendered to law enforcement agencies. My resolution aims to provide additional avenues of controlled substance disposal by requesting the authorization of pharmacies to establish controlled substance take-back programs. Many individuals feel more comfortable using a pharmacy rather than a law enforcement facility as a collection site. Pharmacies are safe and convenient locations for the disposal of unused controlled substances; therefore they should have the opportunity to provide this important service to their communities. Thank you in advance for your consideration. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my Harrisburg office at 717-705-1925.
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Introduced as HR611