(Fort Wayne, IN)- This coming Saturday, October 28, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring their 25th “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative.  The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of unwanted 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 pill and liquid medications.  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 in 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 the Toll Road Post.  The event will be on Saturday, October 28, 2023, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

The Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post will host their collection site on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The Fort Wayne Post is located at 5811 Ellison Road just off of the I-69/US24 interchange.