United States Drug Enforcement Administration

El Paso –The Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with nearly 4,000 law enforcement partners across the country, will host the 29th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At nearly 4,000 collection sites throughout the United States, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day encourages Americans to safely and anonymously dispose of unnecessary, expired, and unused prescription medications to help prevent prescription drug misuse and reduce the potential for accidental overdoses and poisonings.

"National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a time where the public can help the DEA make our communities safer and healthier," said Omar Arellano, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's El Paso Division. "Thanks to the help of our local and state partners, residents of West Texas and New Mexico will be able to dispose of their unwanted, unneeded, and expired medications."

Since 2010, Take Back Day has provided Americans with an easy, accessible way to rid their homes of medications that could pose a threat if misused – resulting in a staggering 20 million pounds of unused medications collected to date.

DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs. Syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs will not be collected. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should be securely sealed in their original container.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, are among the most frequently misused prescription pain medications.

For more information or to find a location nearest you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

If you are unable to participate in this National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are nearly 16,500 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses, in addition to many police departments, that offer safe medication disposal year-round. For information on permanent drop boxes, please visit Every Day is Take Back Day.

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