ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY -- Kinney Drugs is partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and state and local law enforcement officials to offer people safe disposal of both controlled and non-controlled prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter medications.

No sharps will be collected. Kinney Drugs will host events at its Potsdam, Massena, Ogdensburg and Canton locations Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public. A full list of participating locations is available online at www.kinneydrugs.com.

The National DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back raises awareness for public safety and helps address public health issues. Studies show that prescription drug abuse (opioids in particular) in the U.S. is at an all-time high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Many individuals do not realize that medicines stored in home medicine cabinets can be highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.

In addition, people do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing it down the toilet or throwing it away – both of which pose potential environmental, safety and health hazards. This event provides a safe, convenient, and environmentally responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.

During the October 2018 National Take-Back event, 914,236 pounds (457.12 tons) of medications were collected.