Drug Take Back Day Saturday in Harrisburg and Eldorado

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[There will be opportunities for citizens to safely get rid of unwanted or expired prescription medication Saturday.

Egyptian Health Department is assisting the Saline County Sheriff's Office and Eldorado Police with National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, an event sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

The Sheriff's Office program is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Saline County Courthouse. The Eldorado program is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Eldorado Police Department at 921 Veterans Drive.

"This time we are hoping for more than the previous time in the fall," Liz Cooley of Egyptian Health said.

"We are hoping for a bigger turnout."

More than 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration''s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, it is recommended not to flush or throw unused or unwanted prescription medications down the drain or in the trash, both pose a potential safety and health hazards.