The Michigan State Police is urging residents to discard expired, unused and unwanted pills during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, one of two annual events held in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration and other law enforcement agencies.

A one-day Take Back effort will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The following local places will collect prescriptions:

• Cassopolis: Cass County Sheriff’s Office, 321 M-62

• Dowagiac: Silver Creek Township Hall, 32764 Dixon St.

• Dowagiac: Pokagon Tribal Health Center, 58620 Sink Rd.

• Dowagiac: Family Fare Supermarket, 56151 M-51

• Edwardsburg: Ontwa Township Edwardsburg Police Department, 26296 E. Main St.

• Marcellus: Marcellus Township Hall, 13163 Marcellus Hwy

• Niles: Howard Township Hall, 1345 Barron Lake Rd.

• Niles: Niles MSP Post, 1600 Silverbrook Ave.

“Our troopers see daily the devastation caused by opioid and prescription drug abuse, accidental poisonings and overdoses,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the Michigan State Police. “Please check your home and get rid of any medications you no longer need.”

All collected pills will be destroyed, with no questions asked. Liquids, inhalers, patches and syringes cannot be accepted.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is held twice a year, in April and October. During the April 2018 effort, MSP posts collected roughly 966 pounds of prescription drugs.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Further, disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can pose safety and health hazards, officials said.

MSP collection sites can be found here. Additional collection sites across the state can be found by going to dea.gov.

Anyone who is unable to participate on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day can anonymously surrender their prescription drugs at any MSP post, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.