This Saturday, April 28, the public is encouraged to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications at over 50 locations in DC and Virginia and Maryland suburbs, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Residents can bring any quantity and type of unused medication to drop-off points and safely dispose of them in minutes. The service is free and anonymous.

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 and is backed by law enforcement agencies, water utilities, and health officials. Proper medication disposal keeps communities safe by preventing drug abuse, accidental ingestion, and water pollution. To find the nearest DEA-sponsored medication disposal site, visit bit.ly/Medtakeback.

"Providing safe options to discard medication is an easy way to protect District residents and our rivers," said DC Water Interim CEO and General Manager Henderson Brown IV. "We all share the responsibility of keeping our communities and waterways safe, and proper medication disposal is a great way for each of us to do our part.”

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

Alternatively, residents can safely discard unwanted medication at home with these easy instructions:

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.

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