The Powell Police Department will host another Drug Take Back event on Saturday, collecting residents’ unused, unwanted and expired medications.

Residents can simply bring their medications to the department at 250 N. Clark St., and drop them in a box between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Cody Police Department, located at 1402 River View Dr., is also participating. The service is free of charge and anonymous, with no questions asked.

Since joining the Drug Enforcement Administration program in 2010, the Powell department has collected 1,143 pounds of drugs, said Powell Police Lt. Matt McCaslin.

The collected medications are incinerated, which authorities say is a safer method of disposal than throwing them in trash. The DEA adds that getting rid of unneeded pills and other medications eliminates the chance of them being intentionally or accidentally misused.

While national Drug Take Back Days come only twice a year, residents can bring their medications to the Powell Police Department at any time. The only difference is that, rather than just tossing the items in a box, residents must turn them over to an officer. It can take a bit longer, but roughly 75 people took advantage of the anytime option over the past year, police say.

“We really have a pretty good response to this throughout the year,” McCaslin said.

— By CJ Baker