This week, I encourage you to take a few simple steps to help protect public safety and the environment.
Saturday, April 24, is a National Drug Take-Back Day. Locations will be available throughout the country for you to dispose of your unused or expired medications anonymously in a convenient, safe and responsible manner.
Too often, unused drugs find their way into the wrong hands, endangering individuals of all ages. They can be misused. They can result in accidental poisonings. They can cause overdoses and death.
Do not throw unused or expired medications into the garbage. Do not flush them down the toilet or sink unless the labelling or patient information that accompanies the medication packaging specifically tells you to do so.
Just take these four steps:
- Go through your medicine cabinet or any other place where you keep your medications and pull out any medications you are no longer using and any medications that have expired.
- Pull off any personal information on the pill bottle or medication packaging.
- Find a drop-off site close to you. To access the Take Back Day Collection Site Locator, click here https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator
- Drop off your unused or expired medications on Saturday. Generally, the hours for dropping off your medications are between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
If you are not able to participate in the National Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, year-round locations are available. Click here to find information on a year-round location near you https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1