Don’t be the dealer. On Saturday, Oct. 23, Central Kentucky residents can help prevent drug abuse and theft by disposing of expired or unwanted medication during the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Take Back Day. The DEA and local law enforcement agencies across the country will host a free, no-questions-asked disposal event.
In Lexington, the Take Back Day event is 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 at Kentucky American Water, 2300 Richmond Road. Officers from the local DEA office, Lexington Police Department and Fayette County Sheriff’s office will be on hand to take unwanted items.
“Opioid addiction is a public safety and public health issue,” said Brendan Fitzpatrick of the Lexington DEA office. “We need everyone to do their part in keeping potentially dangerous prescription drugs out of the wrong hands. Bring your unused and expired medication to Take Back Day for safe disposal.”
Items accepted at Take Back Day:
- prescription and over-the-counter pills
- vitamins
- medicated ointments and lotions
- pet medication
Liquids, aerosol cans and needles are not accepted at Take Back Day.
In the fall of 2020, Americans turned in 460 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at thousands of drop-off sites across the country during the spring take back event. In Lexington, we had 430 cars come through the line and ultimately turned in 2,064 pounds of medication.
Many pharmacies and hospitals offer permanent drop boxes where residents can dispose of prescription medication. For more information about Take Back Day and the disposal of prescription drugs, go to DEAtakeback.com or lexingtonky.gov/med-disposal.
