The Turlock Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host a drug drop off event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, as part of National Take Back Day.

Individuals can drop off potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs at the Turlock Police Department, located at 900 N. Palm St. The service is free and anonymous, and no questions will be asked. 

Last September, Americans turned in 244 tons of prescription drugs at over 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners. In its five previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners took in over 2 million pounds — over a thousand tons — of pills. 

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to 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.