MONADNOCK REGION, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) — The Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day returns this Saturday, Oct. 25, offering residents across New Hampshire and Vermont a safe, anonymous way to dispose of unwanted medications. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., community collection sites will be open at local police departments in Keene, Winchester, Chesterfield, Hinsdale, and Peterborough, as well as at the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in Bellows Falls and Springfield, Vermont.

The biannual initiative aims to reduce the risk of prescription drug misuse, accidental poisonings, and environmental contamination. Safely disposing of expired or unused medication helps prevent them from being misused or entering wastewater systems.

For those unable to participate in Saturday’s event, permanent drug drop boxes are available year-round in several area communities, including Keene, Brattleboro, Peterborough and Rindge. These secure boxes provide a convenient, ongoing option for safe medication disposal.

While most prescription drugs are accepted, syringes, sharps, and illicit substances are not. Residents seeking to safely dispose of needles can use dedicated sharps receptacles located in Keene’s public restrooms, parks, and police station, or visit additional drop-off points at the Charlestown and Rindge police departments. More information on safe needle disposal can be found at SafeNeedleDisposal.org.

Household sharps such as syringes and lancets should always be handled with care. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services advises that used sharps can be placed in rigid, labeled containers for household trash if permitted by local disposal services. Other safe alternatives include mail-back programs and specialized disposal devices designed for at-home use.

For a complete list of DEA Take Back Day locations and details on what items are accepted, visit DEA.gov/takebackday.