Pssst: Drug Deal at the Urbandale Police Station

The will collect unused or expired prescription drugs on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Sgt. Randy Peterson, Urbandale police information officer, said residents can bring the prescription medications, including pet medicines, to the police deparment lobby between 8 a.m. and noon.  Police will not, however, accept used needles or other medical sharps, he said.

Urbandale is participating in the third annual national drug take-back initiative sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Police departments across the country participate because more than seven million Americans abuse prescription drugs, according to a 2009 national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The problem affects all ages, but studies show that teens who use prescription drugs to get high most often get them from family and friends and the home medicine cabinet.

The events are held twice a year, in the spring and fall. According to the DEA's website, more than 309 tons of prescription medications were collected in the last two take-back days.

If you don't turn old medicines into police on Oct. 29,  the Food and Drug Administration has instructions on safe disposal of medications.