State police and the Drug Enforcement Administration have announced locations for the public to dispose of prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. 

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a means of disposing of prescription drugs while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications, according to a state police news release. The service is free and anonymous.

Medications can be disposed at the following state police collection sites: Troop E-Montville off Interstate 395 in Uncasville; Troop F-Westbrook, 315 Spencer Plains Road in Westbrook; Troop K-Colchester, 15A Old Hartford Road in Colchester; Troop D-Danielson, 55 Wescott Road in Danielson; and Walgreens on North Main Street in Danielson.

According to the news release, medicines left in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse. 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.