Alaskans can drop off unused prescription drugs Saturday at DEA take-back sites

The Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement will collect unused prescription medication at Alaska sites Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm for the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The DEA's Seattle Field Division lists seven collection sites in Alaska among more than 4,400 nationwide.

Residents can bring medication anonymously, the Alaska State Troopers said. The troopers said the effort aims to prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction. Sites will accept tablets, capsules, patches and liquid medications sealed in their original containers. They will not take syringes, sharps or illegal drugs such as meth, heroin or cocaine.

Local agencies have announced sites at the Fairbanks Police Department, the Sitka Public Library and the Fred Meyer stores in Palmer and Wasilla.

Since 2010, Take Back Day has helped Americans remove more than 20 million pounds of unneeded medications from their homes, the DEA said in an agency release.

Residents who miss Saturday can use more than 15,300 permanent, year-round disposal sites, the DEA said. The agency posts a site search at DEATakeBack.com.