Safely declutter your medicine cabinets and help prevent increased pill abuse and theft at the first-ever National Drug Take-Back Day on Sept. 25. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., drop off your expired, unwanted or unused prescription medications at Mercer Island City Hall at 9611 S.E. 36th St. Police officers will be present to take back your unwanted drugs, which will be safely and securely disposed of by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked.

Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing, especially among youth, 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. The Mercer Island Police Department, along with the Mercer Island Youth and Family Service Department’s Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are coordinating the local drug take-back day event.

Go to www.mercergov.org for more information.