Drug Take Back Day Provides Opportunity To Safely Remove Unused Medication From Homes

People can drop off medications that are no longer being used at more than 65 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day locations across the state.  

Coordinated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the biannual event provides the opportunity for the safe disposal of drugs that might be around your home.    

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, collection sites will accept tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Syringes and illicit drugs will not be accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.      

Proper disposal helps avoid accidental overdoses, water contamination and other unwanted outcomes of unused medications.  

“Drug Take Back Day is a critical opportunity to anonymously remove dangerous, unused prescription drugs from our homes before they end up in the wrong hands,” United States Attorney Moore Capito said. “Law enforcement is sounding the alarm: every pill not turned in is a risk to our community. By acting now, we can stop misuse before it starts and keep these drugs off our streets. Your quick, anonymous action today can help save lives.” 

According to DEA statistics, more than 4,000 pounds of medication were collected in West Virginia alone during the most recent Take Back Day in April.   

A collection site locator and other information is available at dea.gov/takebackday.