On Saturday. April 22, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring its 24th national "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 program is for liquid and pill medication. 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 U.S. 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.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines - flushing them down the toilet or throwing them into the trash - pose both potential safety and health hazards.

Once again the Indiana State Police is pleased to partner with the DEA, and as in the past, unwanted medications may be dropped off at any Indiana State Police Post, except for Lowell and Toll Road Posts. The event will be on Saturday, April 22, 2023, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Indiana State Police Post in Putnamville will have their collection on Friday, April 21, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

To locate the State Police Post closest to your home or business, click this link for Indiana State Police on the Map. To find other locations in Indiana or across the U.S. that are participating in the Drug Take Back initiative, click this link to the DEA.