National Drug Take-Back Day is Oct. 22; Ky. has 194 prescription drop boxes and many State Police posts will participate

Kentuckians are encouraged to turn in any unused or expired prescription drugs Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of National Drug Take-Back. The service is free and anonymous.

There are now 194 prescription drop boxes available across Kentucky in 116 counties, with more being added daily, according to the state Office of Drug Control Policy. Click here to find a prescription drug disposal location nearest you. In addition, many Kentucky State Police posts will be collecting unused and expired drugs.

"The goal of this effort is to reduce the volume of drugs that could end up on the streets and then used illegally," says the ODCP website.

National Drug Take Back Day: Kentucky annual collection totals in pounds

In all, Kentucky has collected a total of 59,719 pounds of unused and/or unwanted prescription medications at all Drug Take Back events and locations since October 2011, according to ODCP.

For more information about the Take-Back program, visit www.dea.gov or visit www.odcp.ky.gov for updated collection sites near you.