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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Local organizations and departments such as Compact and the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force are partnering with the DEA, the federal drug enforcement agency, to collect and dispose of medications that are no longer needed or expired.

Residents in Pelham and across Shelby County will soon be able to do their part in this effort by taking unwanted and unused drugs out of circulation and participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27.

Those in the city of Pelham will be able to participate in the county-wide program by bringing their medications to the Pelham Walmart located at 2181 Pelham Pkwy, which will house the area drop-off location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The following locations will also be available to residents across the county during those times:

•  The YMCA at Greystone
•  The Chelsea Winn Dixie
•  The Alabaster Walmart

The free drop off service will be carried out without identification being required, which will allow for the anonymous disposal of medications. The anonymous setup of the event is also being advertised as a way for individuals to dispose of illegal and controlled medical substances.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day’s serve communities across the nation by aiming to take prescription drugs out of circulation and to prevent drug misuse and abuse in both accidental and purposeful scenarios.

“The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety and national security threat,” read a statement from the DEA’s website. “(The) DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects (the agency’s) commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.”

According to the DEA, reductions in the presence of expired or unwanted medications can also prevent and reduce instances of accidental poisonings. Furthermore, proper disposal of certain medications can also allow for a reduction of damage to the environment and the pollution of natural water supplies.

The types of items and medications that will be accepted during the event will include:

•  Prescription medications in the form of pills, liquids and creams
•  Over-the-counter medications in the form of pills, liquids and creams
•  Vitamins
•  Pet and veterinary medications
•  Needles and syringes
•  Illegal drugs
•  Hazardous materials

“While the community does its part to turn in unneeded medications and remove them from potential harm, we are doing our part to further reduce drug-related violence,” read the agency’s announcement.