Special to IFN

The Statesville Police Department will participate in the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Walgreens, located at 951 Davie Avenue.

This event offers the public a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired prescription medications.

For over a decade, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided an opportunity for Americans to rid their homes of potentially dangerous medications, preventing misuse that can often lead to addiction. The event offers free, anonymous disposal of tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs, with close to 5,000 local drop-off locations nationwide.

Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should be tightly sealed in their original containers to prevent leakage.

The Statesville Police Department’s location will be accepting syringes and sharps; however, please note that other drop-off sites may not accept these items.

The October 2024 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, coordinated by the DEA, saw participation from over 4,400 law enforcement agencies and over 4,600 collection sites. A total of 629,953 pounds of prescription drugs were collected, contributing to an all-time total of over 19.2 million pounds of medications safely disposed of since the program’s inception.

Unused prescription drugs can often fall into the wrong hands, leading to dangerous and sometimes tragic outcomes. By participating in Take Back Day, community members have a chance to safely and responsibly dispose of these medications.

If you are unable to attend the event on April 26, you can still safely dispose of your unneeded medications by visiting the Statesville Police Department Headquarters at 330 S. Tradd Street on Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., where a collection bin is available.

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For more information or to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.