Area residents will have a chance to safely dispose of prescription drugs this weekend.

A Drug Take Back Day is being held Saturday for people to turn in unwanted, expired, or unused prescription drugs. Audrey Schroer with Prelude Behavioral Services says it benefits the community, “Being able to get rid of your used prescriptions is such a big safety measure you can take for yourselves, your loved ones, your animals, because the rate of addiction when it comes to prescription drugs and prescription opioids is so profound.”

Schroer shares what the evidence shows for opioid addictions that were first prescribed by a doctor, “When it comes to opiods, if someone is prescribed a one-day supply of opioids they have a six percent chance of still being dependent on opioids a year later. And if someone is given a 12-day supply of opioids they have a 25% chance of still being dependent on opioids a year later. And for those who are given a 30-day supply of opioids they have a 33% chance of being dependent on opioids a year later. So if you’re given a 30-day supply of opioids that’s a one in three chance that someone is still using that drug a year later. And that’s really important to note because across Iowa physicians are prescribing on average a 16-day supply when they give an opioid prescription.”

The prescription drug drop off will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the United Presbyterian Church parking lot in Washington. Also, there is a 24-hour drop box at the Washington County Jail where people can take their unused medications.