Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day. Across our region, there will be designated locations for those with old prescription medicines to properly dispose of what’s been taking up space in their cabinets.

It’s the safest way to do so.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., law enforcement, municipal, county and state agencies — with the help of states’ attorneys general — will staff Take Back sites. It’s an effort that’s been an important part of the National Drug Enforcement Administration’s work since 2010.

“DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting,” the agency says. “DEA is committed to making our communities safer and healthier, and we can do this by reducing overdoses and overdose deaths. While the community does its part to turn in unneeded medications and remove them from potential harm, we are doing our part to further reduce drug-related violence.”

In our region, there will be collections at the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol, Sam’s Club and Riesbeck’s, all in St. Clairsville, and at Riesbeck’s in Bridgeport.

Take advantage of this fall’s event. You’ll free up some room, and feel better knowing you’ve made your home a little safer.