Are You Participating in 'Drug Take-Back Day?'

Are You Participating in 'Drug Take-Back Day?'

The nationwide drug "take-back day" on Saturday gives Americans an opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- The fourth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says.

The event gives Americans an opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

At the third Take-Back Day last October, participants turned in more than 377,000 pounds (188.5 tons) of unwanted or expired medications at more than 5,300 sites located in all 50 states.

[Read: Neb. Refuses Order to Surrender Execution Drug.]

In total, the three Take-Back Days have taken in nearly 1 million pounds of prescription drugs during the past 13 months.

"The amount of prescription drugs turned in by the American public during the past three Take-Back Day events speaks volumes about the need to develop a convenient way to rid homes of unwanted or expired prescription drugs," DEA administrator Michele Leonhart said in an agency news release. "The DEA remains hard at work to establish just such a drug disposal process, and will continue to offer take-back opportunities until the proper regulations are in place."

[Read: Novartis Tries to Make UK Hospitals Use $1,000 Drug.]

"With the continued support and hard work of our more than 3,900 state, local and tribal law enforcement and community partners, these three events have dramatically reduced the risk of prescription drug diversion and abuse, and increased awareness of this critical public health issue," Leonhart added.

More information

Here's where you can find a Take-Back Day collection site near you.

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