Recognizing the United States Department of Justice and the National Drug Enforcement Administration on their successful efforts to curb prescription pill abuse through National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 30, 2011.

WHEREAS, Prescription pill abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The 2009, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that individuals who abuse prescription drugs often obtain them from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Geological Survey, prescription drugs that are improperly disposed contaminate the environment and have polluted water sources in at least 30 states; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress, in an effort to encourage citizens to take preventative action, passed the Safe and Secure Drug Disposal Act of 2010, allowing prescription drug users to dispose of controlled substance medications by delivering them to entities authorized by the U.S. Attorney General; and

WHEREAS, On September 25, 2010, the National Drug Enforcement Administration conducted its first National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day to promote safe disposal of prescription drugs and increase awareness about the dangers of drug abuse; and

WHEREAS, Americans responded to the Justice Department's effort by turning in over 242,000 pounds of prescription drugs at over four thousand sites across the country; and

WHEREAS, On April 30, 2011, the National Drug Enforcement Administration will conduct its second Take-Back Day in conjunction with 5,100 sites nationwide who have joined the effort to prevent pill abuse; and

WHEREAS, Fifteen sites in every corner of the City of Philadelphia will participate in the second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, giving Philadelphians an opportunity to dispose of unneeded, unused or expired pharmaceuticals; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia's government, community, public health and law enforcement partners will be working together in coordination with Brown's Super Stores and other cites to collect prescription drugs an inform their fellow citizens of their dangerous consequences; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize the United States Department of Justice's National Drug Enforcement Administration on its successful efforts to curb prescription pill abuse through National Take Back Day on April 30, 2011.

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