KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) —  It’s that time of the year to take a look in your medicine cabinet and get rid of those medications that expired or aren’t being used anymore.

On Saturday, April 27, several East Tennessee law enforcement agencies and nonprofits will collect unwanted or unused prescription medication as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to get rid of unused, unneeded and expired medication to help prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths. All of the events will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The events happen twice a year in April and October.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the most common method of obtaining pills is through family and friends. ASAP of Anderson shared that prescription drugs can be easily stolen when they are left in unlocked cabinets and drawers. In 2021, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that 14.3 million Americans over the age of 12 misused prescription drugs.

“This is such an important event and we’re thankful to have the Hamblen County Substance Abuse Coalition partnering with us each year to make it happen in Hamblen County,” said Sheriff Chad Mullins.

Items that will be accepted include unneeded and expired prescription medications, antibiotics, steroids, cold medicine, vitamins/herbal supplements, pet medications, eye drops, and ointments. However, needles, IV bags, blood sugar equipment, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.

There are drop-off events in nearly every East Tennessee county, including Knox, Hamblen, Anderson and Sevier Counties. To find an event near you, click here.

“When the pills are dropped off, members of the HCSO are on hand to receive them and at the end of the day the pills are securely sealed in a barrel and transported back to the Sheriff’s Office. From there, they’re picked up by the TDDTF and incinerated,” Mullins said. “Besides getting the medications off the street, we can also keep them out of our landfill and our water supply.”

In October 2023, 4,752 pounds of drugs were collected in Tennessee across a total of 138 collection sites. The DEA added that 94 TN law enforcement agencies participated in the October 2023 event.

“Safe and secure disposal of prescription drugs protects public health and Tennessee’s waterways,” said David Salyers, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day helps raise awareness about this important issue and TDEC is proud to be a part of it.”

For those who are unable to attend one of the takebacks, there are several medication drop boxes in Tennessee. To find one, click here. There also are six permanent disposal bins located throughout Anderson County. The bins are open seven days a week and 24 hours a day.