Local Police Partnering With DEA for Drug Take Back Day Saturday

Local police departments are partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to give the public another opportunity to dispose of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

The drug take back collection will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at dozens of locations in the region. Click here to enter your zip code and find a local drop off.

Pills and patches are accepted. The DEA does not accept liquids or needles. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 390 tons of prescription drugs at nearly 6,100 sites operated by the DEA and its state and local law enforcement partners.

“This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs,” according to information from Newtown Township Police Department in Bucks County.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.