In the U.S. alone, an estimated 6.5 million people age 12 and older abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. And Utah’s not exempt from what some are calling an epidemic — the Utah Department of Health reports 24 individuals die from prescription drug overdoses each month.  

But together with the Drug Enforcement Administration, northern Utah police departments are aiming to lower those statistics with an event that gives the public an opportunity to safely dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs.

The DEA’s semiannual Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at various locations across Utah. According to a DEA news release, the service is free with no questions asked. However, the DEA cannot accept liquids and needles or sharps — only pills or patches.

“Most prescription drug abusers get their pills from friends and family, including from the household medicine cabinet,” DEA acting administrator Chuck Rosenberg said in the release. “Please remove unwanted prescription drugs from your homes and help prevent substance abuse fueled by our medicine cabinets.”

SEE ALSO: Drug overdose deaths spur focus in Ogden area

According to a Layton City Police Department news release, Americans turned in 350 tons of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites take-back day DEA operated sites and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners in September.  

To find the closest drop off location nearest you, check out our map and list below. Or, visit the DEA website, click on the “Got Drugs?” icon, and enter your zip code into the search window. You can also call 800-882-9539.

Also see list below map.

DAVIS COUNTY

• Bountiful: Smith’s, 555 S. 200 West, with the Bountiful Police Department
• Clinton: Macey’s Grocery Store, 2062 W. 1800 North, with the Clinton Police Department 
• Hill Air Force Base Clinic: 7321 Balmer St., Bldg. 570, Layton
• Farmington: Smith’s, 1316 N. U.S. Hwy 89, with the Farmington Police Department
• Layton: Smith’s, 1170 E. Gentile St., with the Layton Police Department
• Syracuse: Smith’s, 951 W. 1700 South, with the Syracuse Police Department
• Sunset: Smith’s, 2353 N. Main St., with the Sunset Police Department
• Woods Cross: 1555 S. 800 West, with the Woods Cross Police Department

WEBER COUNTY

• North Ogden: Lee’s Marketplace, 2645 N. Washington Blvd., with the North Ogden City Police Department 
• Ogden: Freshmarket 2044 Harrison Blvd. with the Ogden Police Department
• Ogden: Wangsgards Market, 37 N. Harrisville Rd. with the Ogden Police Department
• South Ogden: Macey’s, 325 36th St., with the South Ogden City Police Department