April 26 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Published April 22, 2014 By TRICARE WASHINGTON -- The Drug Enforcement Agency's National Prescription Drug Take-back Day is April 26. Sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for people to bring excess prescription drugs that otherwise could be abused or contaminate the environment. The turn in sites at Joint Base Andrews and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling will be located in front of each installation's main exchange. Pharmacy staff members, Air Force Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program counselors and security forces will be on hand to address any questions or concerns. A 2011 national survey on drug use found that Americans are twice as likely to regularly abuse prescription drugs as they are to regularly use cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin and inhalants combined. The same study found more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers got them through friends or relatives, often without their knowledge. During DEA's last take-back day in October 2013, Americans disposed of more than 647,211 pounds of prescription drugs. The last seven take-back days have collected more than 3.4 million pounds of unused medication. Prescription and over-the-counter "solid dosage" drugs--tablets and capsules--are accepted, but intravenous solutions, injectable medications and needles are not. Illegal substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are accepted. To find a collection site click "Locate Collection Sites" at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback.