Saturday, April 30 is National Prescription Drugs Take Back Day. The Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Water Resources Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration are coming together to help the community.

“The program is designed so that people can bring in prescription drugs in anonymously,” Sheriff David Doak said. “Drugs that have been used at home and dispose of them without putting them down the toilet or in the wastebasket.”

 The items accepted in the pharmaceutical boxes include potentially dangerous expired, unwanted, and unused prescription drugs. Needles and liquids are not permitted.

 According to Doak, providing these drop-offs will significantly prevent health hazards and pollution throughout Portage County and across the nation.

“We don’t want children getting ahold of those in medicine cabinets or somebody else taking them out…and selling them on the street,” Doak said.

Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons, or 702,000 pounds, of prescription drugs to the DEA and law enforcement agencies. 

For residents in Kent who want to take this opportunity, the pills can be dropped off at the Kent Police Department, 232 Fourth Ave, S. They will collect medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.