Safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs Published Sept. 30, 2013 By 21st Civil Engineer Squadron PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 26 at the west gate visitor's center parking lot. The program aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. The event at Peterson is sponsored by the 21st Security Forces Squadron and Peterson pharmacy, with volunteer assistance from the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron. To prepare for the Take-Back Day: 1. Take your prescription drugs out of their original containers. 2. Put the mixture into a disposable container with a lid, such as an empty margarine tub, or into a sealable bag. 3. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds 4. Conceal or remove any personal information, including prescription number, on the empty containers by covering it with permanent marker or duct tape, or by scratching it off. Volunteers will recycle empty prescription bottles if all personal information has been removed, including the prescription number. In April of 2012, volunteers here disposed of about 546 pounds of unwanted drugs, and in September 2012 they disposed of 180 pounds. Peterson's first Drug Take Back event in 2013 collected 125 pounds of unwanted drugs. We are trying to exceed our last event total, so come help us out. Base access is not required - volunteers will accept the prescriptions in the visitor center parking lot outside of the base fence. Proper Disposal Protects You and the Earth · Prevents poisoning of children and pets · Deters misuse by teenagers and adults · Avoids health problems from accidentally taking the wrong medicine, too much of the same medicine, or a medicine that is too old to work well · Never flush old prescriptions down the drain - by turning them in for proper disposal these medicines will not contaminate the water supply