LANCASTER, N.Y. — Saturday, October 26 is recognized as National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
On Saturday many organizations across WNY will have drop-off sites to collect and properly dispose of prescription drugs.
The Lancaster Police Department will be one of those organizations hosting a drop-off site that will run from 10a.m. until 2p.m. located at Twin District Fire Hall on 4999 William Street in Lancaster.
Only pills will be collected at the event, no sharps or needles will be accepted according to the Lancaster Police.
Tops Friendly Markets is also participating in the national day.
All 54 of Tops pharmacy locations will be accepting pills on Saturday during normal business hours. Tops works alongside the Department of Environmental Conservation, so shoppers will find clearly designated disposal bins in their pharmacy department to dispose of any unused and unwanted medications.
Customers can also return prescription drugs year round at their local Tops pharmacy locations. To find a store near you in New York, use the link here.
The DEA also has a link on their website to find drop off sites near you based on your zip code. You can visit the website here.
The DEA's National Take Back initiative says "Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic. That's why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in - safely and anonymously - a record amount of prescription drugs."
In April of this year, the 26th National Take Back Day recorded the following data:
Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,607
Total Collection Sites: 4,869
Total Weight Collected: 670,136 lbs. (335 tons)
Total Weight All Time: 18,570,487 lbs. (9,285 tons)
