ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Law enforcement in both Belmont and Harrison counties will participate in drug take back events on Saturday.

According to information released by Peter Riesbeck, Riesbeck Food Markets Inc. director of human resources, this initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, according to Riesbeck, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has reported that this past April, a similar event brought in 949,046 pounds — or 474.4 tons — at close to 5,842 sites across the nation. The DEA also reports that 40,509 pounds were collected in Ohio alone at 288 collection centers throughout the state.

“During the last four take-back events, over 445 pounds of unwanted or expired drugs were collected,” Harrison County Sheriff Joe Myers said.

“Safe disposal of the drugs is important for numerous reasons.”

This will be the 14th time in seven years the DEA has held this event in order to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. In Belmont County, Cardinal Health and Riesbeck’s Pharmacies ill join local law enforcement will participate in this year’s fall event.

You may bring your pills for disposal to any Riesbeck’s Pharmacy location — Bridgeport, Cambridge, Shadyside, St. Clairsville and South Zanesville — from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday.

Riesbeck said the DEA will not accept liquids, needles or sharps; the collection will only accept pills or patches. All drop-off locations follow privacy laws and regulations by shredding prescription labels and vials and disposing of them properly.

The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked, Riesbeck said.

In Harrison County, residents can take unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal to Custer Pharmacy and Rite Aid Pharmacy in Cadiz or Neimayer Pharmacy in Scio from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday. Myers also said that there is a drop box in his department’s lobby, which is open 24 hours a day, for anyone who needs to drop off medications at any other time.

“Prescription drug abuse is a problem everywhere. It is huge, and this provides a great opportunity for folks around the county to help reduce the threat,” Myers said. “I encourage everyone to clean out their medicine cabinets and make your home safe from drug theft and abuse.”

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 27 Take Back Day event, go to www.dea.gov.