Old Lyme — A prescription drug take-back event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Lyme Street Fire House. 

Residents will have an opportunity to dispose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs during the event.

Since the first Lyme-Old Lyme drug take-back event in 2011, citizens have returned more than 500 pounds of medications to prevent misuse.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, according to a news release.

A Lyme-Old Lyme youth survey from December 2015 found that 27 percent of seniors at Lyme-Old Lyme High School report it would be “very or sort of easy to obtain a prescription drug without your own prescription.” 

Residents who miss this event Saturday can dispose of medications at drug drop boxes in area police stations, including Troop F in Westbrook and the East Lyme Police Station in Niantic.

According to the CDC, drug overdoses now kill more Americans than car crashes. Prescription pain pills are driving the increase in overdoses.

This event is co-sponsored by CASFY Coalition (Community Action for Substance Free Youth), Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, Old Lyme Police Department, Troop F state police and Old Lyme Fire Department.

More information about the event or CASFY is available by contacting the youth service bureau at (860) 434-7208 or visiting www.lysb.org.