This weekend is National Drug Take Back Day

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Saturday marks the 26th annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, a time to safely dispose of any unwanted or unneeded medications lying around our homes.

A total of sixteen different local police departments will partner with the Northwestern District Attorney's Office and local sheriff's offices to make this initiative a reality.

Return pickups are scheduled this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at police departments and/or public safety facilities.

The sixteen locations include Deerfield, Easthampton, Hadley, Southampton, South Hadley and Ware. Other drop-off locations include Wildwood Elementary School, On Strong Ave in Amherst, the Town Common in Belchertown and Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School on Locust Street in Northampton.

These locations are working with the National Drug Enforcement Administration to ensure that everyone can participate in this effort.

Since 2011, nearly 74,000 pounds of medications have been safely disposed of on these take-back days.

Maria Pantoja, director of the Northwestern District Attorney's Drug Diversion and Treatment Program, put it succinctly when she said, “Removing unneeded drugs from homes can prevent abuse or addiction problems.”

To recap: If you have old prescriptions or over-the-counter medications lying around that you no longer want in the house, this Saturday is the perfect time to safely get rid of them.

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