Webster Groves police will collect any expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs from residents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 28 at the Webster Groves Recreation Center. The collect is part of the national Take Back initiative, a program that seeks to prevent pill abuse and theft. The Take Back event is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Last year, Americans turned in 377,080 pounds—188.5 tons—of prescription drugs at over 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement partners.  In its three previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in almost a million pounds—nearly 500 tons—of pills, according to a press release by the Webster Groves Police Department.

Webster police is particularly interested in medications containing controlled substances, as these can present a greater risk. However, they will accept any medicines brought for disposal. All collected drugs will be destroyed. Sharp objects such as needles will not be accepted.

Police officers will not ask questions about the drugs brought for disposal nor will they gather any personal information.

According to a Webster Groves police press release, “Prescription drugs containing controlled substances are being misused and abused at alarming rates in America today, leading to cases of accidental poisoning, overdose and addiction, making them a public safety issue.”