People will have a chance to dispose of their expired or unused prescription drugs Saturday during the National Drug Take Back Day at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

People participating are encouraged to enter through the Bridge Avenue entrance of the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., drive up to a worker wearing a vest and drop off the unused or expired drugs.

The prescription drugs should be left in their original containers, and no syringes or needles will be accepted.

Alice Englin with Freeborn County Partners in Prevention said the Drug Take Back Day is a way to help community members get unused and unwanted drugs out of their cabinets while at the same time decreasing access to them by youth.

“Prescription drug abuse poses a unique challenge for coalitions and prevention organizations for many reasons,” Englin said.

Parents often have a lack of knowledge about prescription drug abuse and its dangers, and teens believe that prescription drugs are a safe way to get high, she said.

The event is being coordinated by the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Albert Lea Police Department, Freeborn County Environmental Services Department, United Way of Freeborn County and Freeborn County Partners in Prevention.

Englin said a similar event in April collected 44 pounds of pills. In November 2010, officials collected about 86 pounds of prescription medication, 16 pounds of liquid prescription medication and about 33 pounds of over-the counter medications.

If people are unable to drop their unused prescription drugs off on Saturday, Freeborn County also has a drug drop box that can be accessed 24 hours a day in the Law Enforcement Center.

Community Service officer Mary Schroader said so far in 2012 there has been more than 200 pounds of drugs collected at the drug drop box. This almost surpasses the amount collected in 2011.

For more information, people can call 377-5504.

People should not flush or throw away old or unused prescriptions as they will eventually make their way into the water system, officials stated.