To help fight the prescription drug abuse epidemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is hosting the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, September 29, 2012. On this day, from 10 AM to 2 PM, thousands of DEA-coordinated collection sites will be available across the country, and consumers are encouraged to use this unique opportunity to safely and legally dispose of any unneeded pills, including controlled substance medications, as these pills can only be accepted for disposal when law enforcement is present.

The DEA take-back service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. Sites will accept tablets, capsules, and all other solid dosage forms of unwanted medication. Personal information may be blacked out on prescription bottles, or medications may be emptied from the bottles into the bins provided at the events.

Now available online, the DEA Take-Back Day collection site locator allows consumers to search for a convenient location to dispose of unneeded medications. Consumers disposed of 1.5 million pounds (774 tons) of unwanted medication during the first four DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days. The most recent take-back day saw participation from 4,268 partners that provided take-back sites across all 50 states and the US territories. To find the most convenient location on September 29, 2012, check the DEA collection site locator often, as new locations will be added up until the take-back day.

More information and a link to the DEA collection site locator are available on the AWARXE^® Web site.