BENTON, Mo.--Scott County residents will be able to leave unwanted prescription drugs at the sheriff's office on Saturday.

According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, the sheriff's office and the Drug Enforcement Administration are giving the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of unwanted prescription drugs as part of the "Take Back" program. The medications can be brought to the sheriff's office located at 131 S. New Madrid St. in Benton between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The program is free and anonymous with no questions asked, Walter said.

Walter said that last September, Americans turned in 244 tons of prescription drugs at over 5,200 sites operated by federal, state and local law enforcement. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse, and there are studies that indicate a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family, friends and the home medicine cabinet. In addition, the usual methods for disposing of unused medicines, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, pose potential safety and health hazards, Walter said. For more information on the "Take Back" program, contact the Scott County Sheriff's Department at 545-3525.

Pertinent address:

131 S. New Madrid St., Benton, MO