Police assist in prescription drug disposal

The Philadelphia Police Department is collecting and disposing of expired or unwanted medications on Saturday to help curb crimes associated with prescription drug abuse.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is a partnership between law enforcement agencies, community groups and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration now in its second year.

The event will offer 5,300 drug collection sites nationwide, including 16 in Philadelphia, as well as sites in Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware County.

In 2010, over 121 tons of unwanted drugs were turned in at 4,100 collection sites nationwide, according to the DEA.

Officials at the DEA say the disposal events are important because medicine left sitting in cabinets is prone to abuse and theft.

Officials will collect medication between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. To search for a collection site near you, visit the DEA website.