The Hollister Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration invites the public to dispose of their potentially expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for free on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community members will be able to bring their pills and liquids, that are in a tightly sealed container for disposal to Target at 1790 Airline Hwy in Hollister.    
 
According to a press release from HPD, "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 U.S. are alarmingly high, 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." 
  
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 28 Take Back Day event, readers can go to the DEA Diversion website.