Drop off unwanted medications Saturday on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

MANCHESTER, NH —

Granite Staters will have another chance Saturday to safely dispose of expired or unwanted prescription drugs.

The 26th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, and hundreds of locations, mostly at police stations, will be available to drop off medications.

Officials said National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unwanted medications. All drugs are turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for safe destruction.

“We, right now in the United States, are experiencing a huge epidemic of drug poisoning,” said DEA agent Paul Spera.

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The DEA holds take-back days twice a year and has seized more than nine tons of drugs nationwide over the years. Officials said there are many types of pills they hope people will quit.

“Prescription drugs like Percocets, oxycontin and Adderall, and types of pills after surgery, those types of drugs,” Spera said.

Many police departments have mailboxes available year-round in their lobbies.

“You take it out of the house because it can’t be disposed of by throwing it in the trash or flushing it down the toilet or anything like that,” said Bow Police Officer Serena Shuter. “It’s not good for the water supply, it’s not good if it gets into the wrong hands, so this allows it to be disposed of safely.”

Officials said the day is also an opportunity to educate the public about the potential for drug misuse.

“A child or someone who wasn’t prescribed this drug initially could find the drug, take it, and then develop, after using it, some level of addiction,” Spera said.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m

To find a drug take-back location near you, click here.