A growing problem across the United States has the potential to surface for every American. The route to addition and overdose can begin in a bathroom medicine cabinet. 

With the misuse of prescription drugs having developed into a major national health concern, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is promoting a thriving initiative. 

Through the implementation of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Arizonans can turn in unused or expired prescription medicine to law enforcement officials. The event will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at dozens of locations throughout the state.

Nearly half of the 80 Arizona locations will be located within the Phoenix area. To find the location nearest you, visit the DEA website. 

“The nonmedical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America,” Buckeye Police Department spokeswomen Donna Rossi said. “According to the DEA, the majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family, friends and the home medicine cabinet.” 

More than 6 million Americans misused prescription drugs in 2016, according to data found by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

National Take Back Day will take place twice a year.

Across the 80 locations in Arizona, over 12,000 pounds of drugs were collected at the most recent event in April.

Nationally, nearly a million pounds of drugs were turned in to more than 5,800 locations.

Arizonans have turned in an excess of 144,000 pounds of prescription drugs over the course of 15 National Take Back Days. The U.S. total during that span is close to 10 million pounds.