Washington – DEA Holding Unused Prescription Drug Drop-Off

Washington – The Drug Enforcement Administration says people can drop off unused prescriptions at sites around the country next week as part of an effort to prevent drug abuse.

The agency’s third such event is set for Oct. 29. The DEA says the first two collections took in more than 309 tons of pills.

The drugs are incinerated.

The agency says surveys show that more people in the United States abuse prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin and hallucinogens combined.

When people dispose of unused prescriptions, they often flush them. That can send unwanted medicines into the water supply.

The DEA says people can drop off their unused prescriptions for free, with no questions asked. A searchable list of collection sites is available under the “Got Drugs” link at www.dea.gov