A national event used to help people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs will once again be held locally on Saturday.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Daniel Pharmacy, 1114 Central Ave.

The Manson Police Department will also host a Drug Take Back event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Manson Police Department, 1015 13th St.

During those times, anyone may drop off their unwanted medications, no questions asked.

“Twice a year the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) sponsors these Take Back events for outdated and no longer used prescriptions,” said Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener. “We conduct those events at a pharmacy in Fort Dodge and are able to take those drugs off the street.”

Fleener said the last such event yielded about 80 pounds of unused prescriptions.

“We were able to turn those in to the DEA and have them destroyed,” Fleener said. “Every little bit helps.”

He encourages the public to participate in the event.

“We encourage anyone to look in their medicine cabinets for any prescription drugs that aren’t being used and bring them to Daniel Pharmacy,” he said. “Keep them out of the hands of people that don’t need them.”

According to to the DEA, studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends.

Manson Police Chief Gerald Frick said disposing of unused prescription drugs is the responsible thing to do.

“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs at locations in communities throughout the country,” he said.

Tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescriptions are accepted. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps and illegal drugs will not be accepted.

Getting unused prescriptions off the street is particularly important for combating overdose deaths.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 83,500 Americans overdosed during a 12-month period ending July 1, 2020 — the most ever recorded in a 12-month period.

According to the DEA, the increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.

Throughout the 10-year span of Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs.

What: Prescription Drug Take Back Day

When: Saturday

Where: Daniel Pharmacy in Fort Dodge and the Manson Police Department in Manson

Why: To get unused drugs off the street and prevent drug overdoses