Take-backs allowed

If there’s such a thing as a good time to clean out the medicine cabinet, it’s this weekend. Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, an effort by the Drug Enforcement Agency to tackle prescription drug abuse by pulling leftover meds off the streets, or in this case, out of the cabinets, drawers and hall closets where expired or unwanted drugs tend to collect. “America is experiencing an epidemic of addiction, overdose and death due to abuse of prescription drugs,” according to the city’s press release about the event. “The majority of prescription drug abusers report that they obtain their drugs from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet.” Various locations around town will be hosting take-back events on Saturday (“free of charge, no questions asked”) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including Austin High School, Barton Square Mall, the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, the Planetshakers Austin Church and the Travis County Constable offices for precincts 2 and 5. According to a press release from the Austin Independent School District, “allowable items include prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, medication samples, vitamins, syrups, ointments, lotions and inhalers. Any sharp objects such as needles or syringes, disposable medical waste such as IV bags or used bandages, aerosol cans or chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, will not be accepted.” More information, including a full list of Central Texas drop-off locations, is available here.