FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – A drug “take-back” program in Tarrant County has netted a huge stash of old medications.

Organizations across Tarrant County have had three take-back events since 2010 and another is slated for later this month. Those collections events netted drugs, not in ounces and not in pounds.

“Up to this point we have collected 1.5 tons of medication,” said Hilda Zuniga with the Fort Worth Water Department.

The take-back program is meant to gather expired, unused and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medicines to reduce the risk of abuse, poisoning, and pollution.

Zuniga explained that often, unwanted prescription drugs wind up in the water system. “To flush any unwanted medications down the toilet… we don’t want them to do that.”

While the nearly two tons of collected pharmaceuticals might seem impressive, program organizers are hoping to bring in a lot more.

“We expect for them [residents] to drop off some more, just because we are getting the word out and this is becoming a program that residents do like and they use,” Zuniga said.

The City of Fort Worth, Safe Kids Tarrant County, the Fort Worth Emergency Services Collaborative and the Saginaw and Keller Police Departments joined forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and their National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day efforts.

The next Tarrant County Drug Take-Back Day event happens on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at:

♦ Ridgmar Mall, 1888 Green Oaks Road 76116
♦ Health, Safety and Crime Prevention Fair, 7440 McCart venue 76133
♦ Saginaw Fire Station #1, 400 S. Saginaw boulevard 76179
♦ Keller Police Department, 330 Rufe Snow Drive 76248

The program accepts all controlled and non-controlled medications, veterinary medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Click here to find out more about the take-back program and the proper disposal of pharmaceutical and medical products.

The drug take-back program is free and anonymous.

All of the medication gathered will be safely and properly destroyed.

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