The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 14th opportunity in 7 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially danger expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs.

The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to noon. There are three sites planned for the drug take-back:

• Webster City Hy-Vee, 823 Second St., Webster City;

• Van Diest Medical Center Clinic, 817 Shakespeare, Stratford;

• Ellsworth Jewell Stanhope police department, 701 Main St., Jewell.

Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA.

The initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly hight, according the sheriff’s office, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

For more information about the disposal of prescription dugs or the Oct. 28 Take Back Day, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov