WASHINGTON — Saturday is National Prescription Drug “Take-Back” Day. Locations around the country will be accepting expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared prescription drug abuse and its consequences an epidemic, the Office of Personnel Management writes.
In 2010, 22,134 people died from overdoses involving prescription drugs, according to OPM.
Law enforcement will safely dispose of the drugs in order to avoid having people find the drugs thrown away in the trash. Proper drug disposal also protects the environment.
Officials say 3.4 million pounds of pills have been turned in across the country since 2010.
Find a drop-off location near you by going to the Department of Justice’s Office of Diversion Control website.
The “take-back” services are free and anonymous. No questions asked.
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