Old prescription medicines can be handed in on Saturday

Anyone with unneeded prescription medications can return them to collection sites across Florida this Saturday, under a program organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The event, known nationally as Prescription Medicine Take Back Day, is designed to ensure the safe disposal of prescriptions so that they cannot be misused by others in the household. It also aims to protect the environment by keeping old medications out of the water supply.

The DEAs website has a list of all locations across the country.

The DEA has been organizing these events for 15 years. According to the DEA, Florida residents turned in 22,651 pounds of unnecessary medications last year.

“It is important to keep our drinking water and environment clean,” Alachua County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Art Forgey said.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends placing prescription drugs that have not been turned over to law enforcement in a plastic bag with an unwanted substance, such as kitty litter or coffee grounds, before throwing them away.