The 10th annual national prescription drug take-back day Saturday has new urgency this year because of the opioid abuse crisis.
Citing an alarmingly high rate of prescription painkiller misuse, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey urged people to look through medicine cabinets and nightstands for old prescription pill bottles.
" If there is medication lying around that you are not using, take it to your police department, take it to a safe disposal box. Get it out of your house," Healey urged.
There are more than 170 sites in Massachusetts participating in Saturday’s drug disposal event. A complete list can be found at the state department of public health website.
Studies found more than half the people who misused pain killers got them from a friend or relative.
