Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day Held Saturday

BOSTON (AP) — Federal and state officials are calling on Massachusetts residents to rid their homes of expired or unused prescription drugs by dropping them off at designated sites during the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Saturday's event is part of a program established by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to prevent old medicine from falling into unauthorized hands. It is also intended to keep prescription drugs from being thrown away and polluting water supplies.

The program has disposed of nearly 500 tons of medication at more than 5,300 sites operated by over 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies over the past two years.

More Americans abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined, according to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

___

Online: Information on collection sites

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.