All West Virginians to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) ninth National Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Drug Take-Back Day is an opportunity for the public to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by disposing of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Participants must simply deliver the prescription medications to one of the more than 130 certified drop-off locations around the state, where local law enforcement officials will then anonymously collect the medications with no questions asked.

Sen. Joe Manchin encourages all to participate, saying, “Prescription drug abuse continues to proliferate in our state and across our nation, and it is important that we all work together with local, state and federal leaders as well as law enforcement to help overcome this epidemic. Drug Take-Back Day is a simple and common sense initiative we can all rally around to combat drug abuse. It is an outstanding opportunity for neighbors and families to protect themselves from the harmful effects of prescription drugs and the possibility of drug-related break-ins, while also raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. I am encouraged by the efforts of the DEA, state law enforcement, and the many community contributors who make Drug Take-Back Day successful year after year, and I hope all West Virginians will participate this Saturday.”

During last April’s Drug Take-Back Day, Americans turned in more than 780,000 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly 6,100 sites. When those results are combined with what was collected in its previous Take-Back events over the past four years, DEA and its partners have taken in over 4.1 million pounds-more than 2,100 tons-of pills.

Shepherdstown Police Chief David Ransom has shared that the Shepherdstown Police Department is a drop-off location. Also offering a drop off location is the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, at their offices, located at 102 Industrial Blvd., Kearneysville.

No questions will be asked regarding any drugs dropped at the sites. All drops are anonymous.