By Quest Lakes This Saturday, October 19 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Together, Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties (HCC), AmeriCorps members with HCC, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and the Storey County Sheriff’s Office are hosting drop off locations for unneeded medications in Virginia City, Dayton and Silver Springs. National Take Back events offer safe ways to dispose of expired or unneeded prescription drugs. No needles will be accepted at these sites. DAYTON: On Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 10am 2pm, medications can be dropped off in front of the Smith's Food and Drug Store at 2200 U.S. Highway 50. SILVER SPRINGS: Also on Saturday, October 19 from 10am-2pm, unneeded prescriptions can be dropped off in front of the Dollar General store in Silver Springs at 1105 Lake Avenue. VIRGINIA CITY: In addition, people can drop off their unneeded medications at the Storey County Sheriff’s Office at 205 South C Street, Virginia City, NV 89440 on Saturday, October 19 between 10am-2pm. This effort aims to help keep communities healthy and safe by educating the public about the potential for misuse of medications. The events also support safe disposal of medications. Flushing prescription and over-the-counter medications down drains can contaminate waterways and end up in our drinking water. During the Take Back events, HCC will also offer Naloxone and Deterra bags. Naloxone is used to treat opioid overdose by temporarily reversing the effects of opioid medicines and drugs. Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal System pouches can be used at home as an effective way to destroy and dispose of unwanted medications. HCC also offers Naloxone and Deterra throughout the year at its food pantries in Silver Springs, Yerington and Dayton. The effort to collect and safely dispose of unneeded medication is part of the nationwide federal initiative, with nearly 5,000 collection sites across the U.S. Since its inception in 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Take Back Day has removed almost 17 million pounds of unneeded medications from communities across the country. For more information, call HCC at 775-246-7550.