On Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and its partners will hold their fourth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at sites nationwide.The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Locally, collection points include Bainbridge Public Safety Headquarters at 1701 E. Shotwell St., the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at 208 Court St. in Donalsonville, Ga., and the Miller County Sheriff’s Office at 300 W. Pine St. in Colquitt, Ga.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high — more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined, according to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.