Local and federal law enforcement officials are hoping the success of three previous drug take-back events continues.

The Fourth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday, and collection points will be set up across the country and the county.

During an event held last spring, 860 pounds of prescription drugs were turned in at collection points in York County.

Nationally, 188.5 tons of unwanted or expired medications were handed in during the third such event in the fall.

The drug take-backs are organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with local and state law enforcement agencies taking part.

"The amount of prescription drugs turned in by the American public during the past three Take-Back Day events speaks volumes about the need to develop a convenient way to rid homes of unwanted or expired prescription drugs," said Michele Leonhart, administrator with the DEA.

Locally: Last year, Northern York County Regional Police collected roughly 150 pounds during two collection days, said Lt. David Lash.

While turning in the unwanted or expired prescription drugs decreases the risk of children or pets getting hold of them, it also cuts down on the chance the drugs will be stolen and sold on the street.

"Prescription medication in itself is becoming more abused on the street each day," Lash said. "The more we can take out of circulation, the better."

Eight collection points will be set up across the county and will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drugs collected will be turned over to the DEA to be incinerated.

Collection points: People with unwanted prescription drugs may drop them off at the following locations:

-- Giant Food Store, 3175 Cape Horn Road, Red Lion

-- Giant Food Store, 1255 Carlisle Road, York

-- Giant Food Store, 2130 Palomino Road, Dover

-- Giant Food Store, 2415 E. Market St., York

-- Giant Food Store, 275 Pauline Drive, York

-- Giant Food Store, 801 Baltimore St., Hanover

-- Giant Food Store, 455 Eisenhower Drive, Hanover

-- Giant Food Store, 14635 Mount Airy Road, Shrewsbury

Alternative methods: Can't make it Saturday? You can also dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medication yourself. Just don't flush it down the toilet, though.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration dissuades people from flushing the drugs, as studies show them to be environmental pollutants to drinking water.

Rather, toss the drugs in the trash, but take precautions. People can sift through trash to get to drugs, so the York County Solid Waste Authority recommends placing them in undesirable trash, such as cat litter, for disposal.

Or you can drop the drugs off at the authority's Resource Recovery Center at 2651 Blackbridge Road in Springettsbury Township.

County residents can drop the drugs off for free after making an appointment by calling the authority at 845-1066. Residents must call in advance and should allow for one to two weeks' notice before their desired disposal date.

Disposal takes about 20 minutes. Residents must complete a registration form and will be escorted into the center by a representative to dispose of the drugs.

- Reach Greg Gross at 505-5434, ggross@yorkdispatch.com, or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/greggrss.