Drug Take Back Day: An effort to fight drug abuse and help save the environment

ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Police departments across the region are teaming up in an effort to fight drug abuse. It's all part of the national effor Drug Take Back Day. The event is designed to help people get rid of unwanted drugs and save the environment.

Medical experts say most people have unwanted or expired medications in their homes.

"The biggest thing is safety," said Carilion pharmacist Matthew Turner. "You don't want children to accidentally take medication."

Turner said Drug Take Back Day is a national effort to prevent drug abuse, but to also keep drugs out of lakes and streams.

"You don't want to flush these things down the toilet because it could, under certain circumstances, contaminate the water supply," said Scott Leamon, with the Roanoke Police Department.

"If enough people did this, it could start to show up when they test the water," said Leamon.

It's part of the reason why police and health professionals will be volunteering this Saturday to help collected unwanted medications.

"Some of the nurses from Jefferson College, right down here, they're going to be helping us," added Leamon. "So, you drive up, give us your stuff and it's disposed of properly."

"Roanoke's Drug Take Back event will start at 10 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. at the Towers Mall CVS Pharmacy.

Visit www.dea.gov for more information.

Other locations in the Roanoke Valley:

Botetourt County - Daleville Kroger

Craig County - Market Street Pharmacy

Salem - Super Shoes on Main Street

Roanoke County - Kroger at Tanglewood Mall, Brambleton at Colonial, Valley Gateway Blvd. & the Hershberger Road Fire & Rescue Station #1

Vinton - Hardy Road Kroger