Local residents can discard their unused or unwanted prescription medication from 8 a.m. until noon at Goose Pond Park on Saturday in a program sponsored by the Clanton Police Department.

CPD is participating in the National Prescription Drug Takeback Program for the fourth time.

Cpl. David Kline said the programs are held in Clanton twice a year, and that there seems to be more participation each time.

“Every time we do it, we get more and more,” Kline said.

Kline estimated that previous takeback efforts have yielded from 10-20 pounds of prescription medication, which is collected by the Drug Enforcement Agency and incinerated.

No questions are asked of those bringing medication to the takeback, CPD Chief Brian Stilwell said.

“Prescription drug abuse is becoming a major problem, and this can help get some of these drugs off the streets and out of the wrong hands,” Stilwell said. “We are having residential burglaries where they are targeting prescription drugs. By turning in your unused prescription drugs, you can make yourself less of a target.”

DEA has also released a study that flushing prescription drugs down the toilet has a negative effect on an area’s water supply, so bringing the pills to one of the takeback programs is the best option.

For more information, visit www.dea.gov or contact a CPD Narcotics detective at 755-1194.