Chenango Health Network Drug Free Community Coordinator Kyli Anderson and Chenango Health Network Community Health Worker Tiffani Gager at the Drug Take Back Day hosted by the City of Norwich Police Department on Saturday, October 23. Drug Free Community members will also be attending the Drug Take Back Day at the NPD this Saturday, April 30. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

CHENANGO COUNTY — The City of Norwich Police Department and the Chenango County Sheriff's Office will be participating in the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

"DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting," the DEA Drug Take Back Day website reads.

Drug Take Back Days provide a way for individuals to turn in old or unwanted prescription, over the counter, or illegal drugs.

The NPD will set up their Drug Take Back location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 behind the police station, located at 18 East Main Street in Norwich. Members of Drug Free Community, a group under Chenango Health Network, will also be in attendance.

NPD Deputy Chief of Police Scott Burlison said liquid drugs and needles will not be accepted.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office will also be holding a Drug Take Back Day event on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Afton Town Hall, located at 204 County Road 39 in Afton.

At the end of the event, Burlison said all drugs turned in will be disposed of by the Syracuse DEA.

The DEA sponsors two Drug Take Back Days a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. For those who are unable to attend the Take Back Days, Burlison said the Norwich Police Department will accept drug drop offs year round.

More information on DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Days can be found at dea.gov/takebackday.