EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will hold its 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, offering communities across the country a safe way to dispose of unused or expired medications.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time at nearly 4,200 collection sites nationwide.
Local police and sheriff’s departments in El Paso, West Texas, and New Mexico will also participate, with more than 10 locations in El Paso and West Texas and over 40 sites in New Mexico, according to officials.
Held twice a year, Take Back Day is aimed at reducing the risks associated with keeping unnecessary medications at home. Officials say unused prescriptions can contribute to drug misuse and accidental poisonings, particularly among children and teens.
Since the program began in 2010, the DEA reports that more than 20 million pounds of medications have been collected and safely disposed of across the United States.
The initiative has become a key tool in addressing prescription drug abuse, which continues to be a public health concern nationwide.
During the event, officials will be accepting tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquid medications, such as cough syrups, can also be turned in if they are sealed in their original containers.
However, syringes, sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.
Organizers encourage residents to take advantage of the event as a simple step toward improving household safety and preventing potential misuse. Collection sites can be found through the DEA’s online locator tool.
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