National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: What you need to know

A medication disposal box is seen, where people can drop off their expired, unused or unwanted medications for safe disposal located in the CVS pharmacy on October 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida.

Credit: Joe Raedle

Credit: Joe Raedle

A medication disposal box is seen, where people can drop off their expired, unused or unwanted medications for safe disposal located in the CVS pharmacy on October 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida.

It's time to clear out the medicine cabinet. Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which encourages consumers to check their homes for any unwanted, unused or expired medications and dispose of them safely at a government-designated collection site.

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The Drug Enforcement Administration provides a Collection Site Locator tool that allows consumers to enter their address and find collection sites near them.

The drug collection days are held annually in the spring and fall. According to the DEA, 474.5 tons of prescription medications were collected during the April 2018 event.

If you are unable to participate during Saturday's 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. event, the DEA has provided a year-round tool to locate sites for disposing of prescription medications safely.

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