In an effort to cut down on prescription drug abuse, the state of Alabama will participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on October 26th.

For the seventh time in three years, the Drug Enforcement Administration will give folks the chance to prevent pill abuse and theft by getting rid of medication that has expired, or no longer used.

The service is free and anonymous. There will be drop-off stations located around the state, which are listed on The Alabama Department of Public Health’s website, adph.org.

“We are aware that many times legitimately obtained prescription drugs are no longer needed and have the potential for misuse,” State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson said. “Everyone should be mindful of the risks they pose and this opportunity to dispose of their medications in the safe way.”

Officials with the DEA said that more than 371 tons of prescription drugs were turned in at 5,800 sites across the country during last year’s Drug Take-Back day.

Alabama Attorney Luther Strange believes it’s a no-brainer for Alabama to participate in the program.

“Safely removing and disposing of potentially dangerous controlled substances from our homes is an important and basic step to fighting drug abuse and drug-related crimes,” said Strange. “The overwhelming participation in previous Prescription Drug Take-Back Days has taken potentially dangerous drugs out of people’s homes, where they could be stolen by burglars or misused by children, making our state safer for the people of Alabama.”

The DEA says the most-used ways of getting rid of drugs, like throwing them in the trash or flushing them down the toilet, are not the most effective. The Drug Enforcement Administration is currently working on getting new regulations approved that would allow users of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to areas authorized by the U.S. Attorney General.

The regulations would also allow the Attorney General to authorize long-term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances.

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