The DeLand Police Department will be participating in National Drug Take Back Day on October 26.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 26, officers will collect unwanted prescription drugs, no questions asked, in the front parking lot outside of the police department, 219 West Howry Avenue

Since its inception, National Take Back Day has resulted in nearly 10 million pounds of prescription drugs being turned into law enforcement and disposed of.

If you are unable to participate but want to get rid of unused or expired prescription drugs, here are some guidelines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

Disposing medicines in household trash: Almost all medicines can be thrown into your household trash. These include prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in pills, liquids, drops, patches, creams, and inhalers.

Follow these steps:

1. Remove the drugs from their original containers and mix them with something undesirable, such as used coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter. This makes the medicine less appealing to children and pets and unrecognizable to someone who might intentionally go through the trash looking for drugs.
2. Put the mixture in something you can close (a re-sealable zipper storage bag, empty can, or other container) to prevent the drug from leaking or spilling out.
3. Throw the container in the garbage.
4. Scratch out all your personal information on the empty medicine packaging to protect your identity and privacy. Throw the packaging away.

For those seeking more information, please contact Sgt. Josh Santos at 386-626-7470.