Authorities hosting several prescription drug throwaway events Saturday

Authorities in Conway, North Myrtle Beach, and Georgetown will be accepting unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs for disposal this Saturday at various locations, no questions asked.

Officials will all be having their events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, but at different locations.

North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department officials will be conducting a prescription medicine drop-off event in the former Staples parking lot, 244 U.S. 17 in North Myrtle Beach.

Conway police will be accepting unwanted prescription drugs from the public for disposal at the Wal-Greens at 1601 Church St, police said.

In Georgetown, the throwaway event will be held at Midway Fire and Rescue at 67 St. Paul’s Place in Pawleys Island.

Officers, along with Drug Enforcement Administration agents, will be on hand collecting expired, unused, and/or unwanted prescription drugs, authorities said.

Police said this service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

Authorities said they are holding this event in an effort to help the public to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs.

Police said medications that languish in cabinets are vulnerable to misuse. Authorities said prescription drug abuse in the U.S. is alarmingly high as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses.

Furthermore, authorities said studies show most abused prescription drugs are often obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Additionally, the public is advised that disposal methods of unwanted medications, such as flushing them down the toilet, or throwing them in the trash both pose safety and health hazards.

This story was originally published September 26, 2015 at 9:26 AM with the headline "Authorities hosting several prescription drug throwaway events Saturday."