The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled a National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day to take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013, from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. This is a great opportunity for those who have accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications. However, the seniors throughout the Tri-City area who use Meals on Wheels are homebound, often living alone and unable to get to the drop-off sites.

So this year LIFE ElderCare tried out a way to help. The hundreds of caring volunteers who deliver meals every day handed out a flyer letting the seniors know that we could do the pick-up for them. During the last two weeks, we’ve received over 90 bottles and boxes of expired or unwanted medications.

Our site for the 2013 DEA Take-Back Day is over at the Centerville Farmer’s Market near the train station. We will be dropping them off for clients who now can easily dispose of the collected drugs they no longer need, but couldn’t get rid of responsibly by themselves.

In the five previous Take-Back events, DEA in conjunction with state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners have collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons!) of prescription medications.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications. To find a local collection site near you contact DEA at 1-800-882-9539 or http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/