The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Office of Diversion Control will hold “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Unused or expired prescription medications can be dropped off locally that day at the Pembroke Police Department at 154 Railroad St.

According to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs. In addition, about 2,500 teens every day use prescription drugs to get high for the first time. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including home medicine cabinets.

The DEA began the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative in 2010 in an effort to address this vital public-safety and public-health issue. According to the DEA, this is a great opportunity for those who missed the first event or who subsequently have accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs to dispose of them safely.

For more information, call William Collins of the Bryan County Drug Free Coalition at 661-2095.