Do you have expired, unnecessary or unwanted prescription medications?

Drop them off at a participating local public safety agency from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s 22nd National Prescription Drug Pickup Day.

Participating local locations are in the Dixon and Fairfield police departments. For more sites, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

“Eliminating unnecessary drugs can help prevent drug abuse,” DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in a press release. “Overdose deaths continue to hit tragic records. I encourage everyone to get rid of unnecessary prescription drugs now.

Residents of Northern California and the Central Valley have reported 593,375 pounds (296 tons) since recovery day began in September 2010.

“National Prescription Drug Take-Away Day is an opportunity to make your home and community safe by removing the medications you no longer want. Help stop drug addiction before it starts,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon said in the statement.

Drug overdose deaths have risen 16% in the past year, killing more than 290 people every day. According to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the majority of people who abused a prescription drug got it from a family member or friend.

Year-round containers are available at more than 13,000 pharmacies, hospitals, police departments and businesses. Additionally, with the passing of the Opioid DUMP Act in 2021, the public can now use drop boxes at Veterans Administration medical centers to dispose of prescription drugs containing controlled substances. Check with your local VA healthcare facility for more information.