This Saturday, September 26, the public is encouraged to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications at over 50 locations throughout the Washington D.C. region, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a nationwide event to promote the safe disposal of expired and unwanted medications. The initiative is being promoted in the National Capital Region by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) and regional partners, including law enforcement agencies, water utilities and health officials. Proper medication disposal keeps our communities safe by preventing drug abuse, accidental ingestion and the contamination of our water supplies. The service is free and anonymous.

To find the nearest medication disposal site, visit bit.ly/Medtakeback.

"Providing safe options to discard medication is a win for everyone," said DC Water CEO and General Manager George S. Hawkins. "We all share the responsibility of keeping our communities and water supplies safe, and proper medication disposal is an easy way for each of us to do our part.”

“We encourage the region’s residents to take advantage of this program, an important effort to prevent the abuse or misuse of leftover prescription medications,” said COG Police Chiefs Committee Chairman and City of Takoma Park Police Chief Alan Goldberg. “We are pleased to be working alongside our area health officials and water utilities to emphasize not only the public safety benefits, but also the water quality environmental benefits of proper medication disposal.”

For those who can’t make it to the take-back locations this Saturday, a list of permanent, secure disposal locations in the region is posted at bit.ly/managemedication.

With the exception of controlled substances, many unwanted medicines can be discarded with household trash by following the instructions below. If you are unsure if your medication is a controlled substance, consult a licensed pharmacist or check local laws to determine if trash disposal is an option.

1. Take your prescription drugs out of their original containers.
2. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds.
3. Put mixture into a disposable container that can be sealed, like a plastic bag.
4. Conceal or remove any personal information on empty containers, including Rx number, by covering it with permanent marker or by scratching it off.