HELENA — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is encouraging people to safely dispose of unused and expired prescription medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The 31st annual event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with more than 4,400 collection sites nationwide and support from more than 120 law enforcement and community partners.
The initiative aims to reduce prescription drug misuse, prevent accidental poisonings, and keep potentially addictive medications out of the wrong hands.
During the most recent Take Back Day on April 25, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana collected a combined 27,590 pounds of medications, according to the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division.
Accepted items include prescription tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of medication. The agency also accepts liquid medications when securely sealed in their original containers. Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs will not be collected.
Since the program began in 2010, Americans have safely disposed of more than 20 million pounds of unneeded medications through Take Back Day events, according to DEA Administrator Terry Cole.
People can find participating collection sites by visiting this link.
Those who can't participate in the October event can also dispose of medications year-round through participating pharmacies, hospitals, businesses, and permanent drop boxes at many police departments.
