On Saturday, Oct. 23, the Drug Enforcement Administration is sponsoring the 21st nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.

Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment. This is for liquid and pill medications.

Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken.

Needles, new or used, will not be accepted for disposal. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

The Indiana State Police in partnership with the DEA, as in the past, unwanted medications may be dropped off at any Indiana State Police Post, except the Toll Road Post. The event will be on Saturday, Oct. 23, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.