Saturday will be your opportunity to clear your house of any expired or unused prescription medications, as area police agencies join the Drug Enforcement Agency in its semiannual Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Between 10:00 a.m. and 2;00 p.m. you can turn in any leftover pills or patches for safe disposal. Liquids, needles and sharps will not be accepted.

Drug drop-off locations include the Hy-Vee stores in Knoxville, Pella and Indianola, conducted by their respective local police departments. They will also be collected at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office headquarters, Melcher-Dallas City Hall, and the Indianola Wal-Mart.

This collection is designed to help prevent further prescription drug abuse; the DEA says many users find drugs to take in the kitchens or bathrooms of friends, family and other persons they visit.

And disposing of these medications by throwing or flushing them away poses an environmental hazard; so turning them in at one of these sites will help prevent a health concern for the community.