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Last updated on Tuesday, September 23, 2014
(BEDFORD) - This Saturday, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department along with the Drug Enforcement Administration will offer residents a chance to get rid of pills, cough syrup, and other unwanted medications that have been piling up around their homes.
The ninth 'National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day' will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Lawrence County Security Center on I Street.
The event is one of the few days of the year where residents can drop off expired or unused prescription medications with no questions asked. This program will not accept new or used needles. Last October, Americans turned in 390 tons of prescription drugs at more than 6,072 sites.
Indiana State Police posts throughout the state will also be collecting unwanted medications on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
"Medications that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse," added Sheriff Sam Craig. "Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses."
Studies have show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends and many are taken from the home medicine cabinet.
People are asked not to flush unused medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash - both pose potential safety and health hazards.
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