PORTSMOUTH — The National Prescription Take Back Day 2019 is Saturday, Oct. 26, and the Portsmouth Police Department is one of the agencies taking part. 

Citizens looking to dispose of excess and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications can safely and securely drop off prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police station at 2270 East Main Road.

The event is being supported by the Newport County Prevention Coalition. The following Newport County police departments, and a business, are also taking part during the same hours:

• Tiverton Police, 20 Industrial Way, Tiverton

• Little Compton Police, 60 Simmons Road, Little Compton

• Middletown Police, 123 Valley Road, Middletown

• Newport Police, 43 Broadway, Newport

• Walmart-RK Newport Towne Center, 199 JT Connell Highway, Newport 

Drugs can be dropped off with no questions asked. The drug collection unit does not accept the following items: liquids, illegal drugs, ointments, lotions, inhalers, and aerosol cans. 

The Newport County Prevention Coalition says “properly disposing of excess drugs is everyone’s responsibility as a matter of public safety,” and noted that many people of all ages who abuse prescription pain relievers get them through friends or family, often through “raiding the family medicine cabinet.”

The Coalition does not recommend flushing or throwing any unwanted medications in the trash due to environmental consequences.