The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office reported collecting 82.5 pounds of pills Saturday during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The sheriff’s office was one of many collection sites across the country where residents could drop off their unused or expired medication for deputies to dispose of the medication safely.

“Prescription pills are easier to get for teenagers now than illegal drugs. All they have to do is search their parents, grandparents, friends’ cabinets to find them and take them to use or sell. That is why today’s program is great because it is a good idea to dispose of any unwanted or out of date prescription medication”, said Sheriff Matt Gentry.

During a previous event held in October, almost 366 tons of medication was turned into the Drug Enforcement Administration and its more than 4,000 community partners at more than 5,000 collection sites nationwide. Over the life of the program, people across the country have removed 7.1 million pounds (more than 3,500 tons) of prescription drugs from medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers and nightstands.

DEA officials say medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. At the same time, Americans now are advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards. 

If you didn’t turn in medication this weekend, there are permanent, secure prescription drop-off sites in the metro Birmingham area. Locations include 24-hour Walgreens Pharmacies in Hoover, Roebuck and Bessemer, and some police and fire departments. To find a location near you, go online to www.rxdropbox.com.