Area residents will have an opportunity to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs as the Dayton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration present National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Here are the five Dayton locations for safe disposal of prescription drugs:
Public Safety Building - 335 W. Third St.
Central Patrol Operations Division - 248 Salem Ave.
East Patrol Operations Division North - 417 E. Helena St.
East Patrol Operations Division South - 2721 Wayne Ave.
West Patrol Operations Division - 951 Washington St.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets. In addition, Americans are advised that the usual methods for disposing of unused medicines--flushing down toilets or throwing in the trash--both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information, visit dea.gov or contact Sgt. Gary W. Lowe at 937-333-1132.