The Auburn Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your medications for disposal to the Auburn Police Department lobby at 340 E. Main, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29.

The service is free, anonymous and no questions asked.

Auburn Police purchased a secure prescription medication drop box in April 2011, and installed it in the lobby of the police department since April 2011. Officials want to remind and encourage citizens to utilize this service April 28 and continue to take advantage of the drop box that is available to citizens permanently.

Items acceptable to be placed in the drop box:

• Prescription medications

• Over-the-counter medications

• Medication samples

• Medications for pets

• Vitamins

• Medicated ointments/lotions

• Inhalers

• Liquid Medication (in leak proof containers up to 12 ounces)

Items not accepted:

• Needles/syringes/lancets

• Thermometers

• IV bags

• Bloody or infectious waste

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Empty Containers

• Aerosol cans

• Personal care products (non-medicated shampoo, etc.)

Last October, Americans turned in 377,080 pounds — 188.5 tons — of prescription drugs at more than 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement partners. In its three previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in almost a million pounds—nearly 500 tons—of pills.

For more information about the DEA event and ongoing local take-back options go to: www.takebackyourmeds.org.