Drug Take Back Day, Collection sites accepting prescription drugs

SOUTH BEND, Ind. ---The annual Drug Take Back initiative starts on Saturday with collection sites set up nationwide for any unwanted, expired or unused prescription drugs—no questions asked.

Drug Take Back Day will be held between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All liquid and pill medications will be accepted. Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken. The only thing that cannot be accepted is needles, whether they are used or unused.

The majority of drug abuse comes from family and friends getting prescription drugs from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet, according to Indiana State Police.

Indiana State Police partnered with the DEA to provide a safe place for the unwanted prescriptions to properly be disposed of without posing a threat to the environment. 

The “usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose both potential safety and health hazards,” according to Indiana State Police.

With the high rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S., Sergeant Ted Bohner, Indiana State Police, told ABC 57 that once you do not need a prescription anymore, it is time to get rid of it.

“It’s a good feeling knowing that those drugs aren’t going to end up in the wrong hands for someone to abuse or to end up polluting the environment,” said Sgt. Ted Bohner. “So it’s good to know people can come in, no questions asked, get rid of them and we’re going to take care of them properly,” said Bohner.

Drug Take Back Day is held twice a year, but Sgt. Bohner told ABC 57 that the effort to fight the ongoing problem does not end there and that it has been a growing community effort.

Sgt. Bohner told ABC 57 that more locations throughout the community are continuing to provide a place to dispose of prescription drugs every day. 

“I think that’s a very good thing,” said Sgt. Bohner. “It’s a good change that’s been happening in our community; because that way we aren’t stockpiling...because once you don’t need a prescription anymore, it’s time to get rid of it,” said Sgt. Bohner.

Click here to find the closest location to you participating in Drug Take Back Day.