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Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) today joined Senator Portman (R-OH), Senator Brown (D-OH) and members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to the Office of Management and Budget, urging it to expedite its review of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) final rule under the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act. The rule would provide guidelines for the proper disposal of prescription drugs.

“Unfortunately, prescription drug abuse is prevalent in Ohio and across the country,” said Latta. “Therefore, it is troubling that the DEA has yet to promulgate the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act’s rule relating to the proper disposal of prescription drugs. With 70 percent of abused medications obtained from family members or friends, this rule will help curb the prescription drug abuse epidemic by providing Ohio with the necessary tools to dispose of potentially deadly and unneeded prescription medications. I am proud to join my colleagues in the Ohio delegation in urging the DEA to expedite its promulgation process, so these commonsense practices can be implemented as soon as possible.”

The Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 authorized Attorney General Holder to promulgate regulations for the disposal of prescriptions medications – the responsibility of which he delegated to the DEA. After taking public comment and holding a public meeting January 19-20, 2011, the DEA published notice of proposed rule making for disposal of controlled substances on December 21, 2012. The proposed rule expands the options available for the collection of prescription drugs, including additional take-back events, mail-back prescription programs and collection receptacles. However, without approval of the final rule, the State of Ohio does not have the necessary tools to implement these options.

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