BILLINGS — The Drug Enforcement Agency will be sponsoring the 18th Annual National Prescription Take Back Day this Saturday in the Elk's Lodge parking lot, as well as the First Interstate Bank parking lot in the Heights.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 26 collection sites across Montana.
This year the DEA will also be accepting vaping devices and cartridges, in addition to pill, tablets, capsules, patches and other medications in solid form.
"The primary way opioid abusers first get pills is from family, friends or the medicine cabinet. That's why getting rid of unneeded and expired prescriptions is an important step Montanans can take to prevent opioid abuse and addiction," said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches.
Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose safety and health hazards.
Last April, Montanans turned in 4,113 pounds of prescription drugs, including 78 pounds from Indian reservations.
The Elk's Lodge is located at 934 Lewis Avenue, and First Interstate Bank is at 730 Main Street.
For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day web site where you can search by zip code, city, or state.
