Local law enforcement and other organizations will be working to make sure unused prescription medications are properly disposed of this weekend as part of the spring National Prescription Take Back Day.

“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides an invaluable service in keeping potentially deadly drugs out of our communities,” West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey said in a press release. “Too many West Virginians’ lives have been destroyed by opioids. By collecting unused or unwanted prescription medications, we can prevent these pills from being abused.”

Take Back Day collection points will be available on both sides of the Ohio River from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

There will be a collection point in front of the Marietta Police Department at 301 Putnam St. in an event organized by the department, the Right Path for Washington County and the Washington County Behavioral Health Board.

Any and all medications – including syringes, patches and liquids – will be accepted, no questions asked, said Cathy Harper, with the Right Path, an organization promoting healthy youth development.

“Why turn in your unused medications? Drugs can be stolen and sold illegally, children and pets could be poisoned if they find and swallow drugs, and unused medications are environmental toxins, as flushing them down the toilet or sink can contaminate our water and soil,” she said.

More information is available by contacting the police department at 740-373-4141.

Take Back Day is an initiative of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration that happens each April and October. The October 2025 collection yielded 286 tons of returned medication collected at 4,317 sites across the country, according to dea.gov/takebackday.

Other Mid-Ohio Valley collection sites include:

* Lubeck Volunteer Fire Department, 1340 Harris Highway, Parkersburg

* Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Department, 1695 Elizabeth Pike, Mineral Wells

* Phillips Pharmacy, 329 Second St., St. Marys

* Ripley Police Department, 106 McGraw St., Ripley

* Vienna Police Department, 609 28th St.

* West Virginia State Police detachment, 3828 Staunton Turnpike, Parkersburg

* Waverly Volunteer Fire Department, 15425 Emerson Ave., Waverly

* Williamstown Police Department, 100 W. Fifth St.