DOVER –– Saturday is the 12th annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Sites across the state will be open for residents to drop off expired or unwanted prescription drugs.

Delawareans can anonymously drop off prescriptions at designated locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Drug Enforcement Administration-sponsored measure on Saturday.

“Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in their home cabinets are highly susceptible to illegal diversion, misuse, and abuse,” said Gary Tuggle, the special agent in charge of the DEA’s Philadelphia Field Division.

One of the DEA’s biggest concerns is narcotic pain killers which can be sold on the streets, are addictive and put users at risk of an overdose.

Overdose deaths are on the rise in Delaware and there were 171 overdoses in 2013 (caused by both prescription and street drugs) and an estimated 204 in 2014.

Most of the people who misuse narcotics get them from friends or family members.

But Take-Back Day isn’t only about narcotics, almost any medicine either prescription or over the counter can be turned in except syringes or inhalers.

Returned drugs should be in a container such as a pill bottle, box, blister pack or zip lock bag. Liquid medications should be returned in their original containers. Remove personal information from bottles and containers before returning them.

“I am encouraging the public of Delaware to take full advantage of this free service that the DEA offers to safely dispose of their unwanted or expired prescription medicine,” Mr. Tuggle said.

And “safe disposal” is one of the key components of Drug Take-Back Day. Groundwater can be contaminated from prescriptions being thrown away or flushed down the toilet. Although the amount in the public water supply are not at dangerous levels yet, traces of several different drugs have been found in Delaware water.

Between 2010 and 2015, Delaware held 11 Drug Take-Back events and collected 52,002 pounds of drugs. A new collection record was set on the Sept. 12, 2015 Drug Take-Back Day, when Delaware collected 7,227 pounds of drugs.

In addition to the temporary locations for Saturday’s Take-Back, there are now 14 permanent sites at local police departments.

“Offering constant, safe, and anonymous collection sites can help Delawareans avoid painful addictions, illegal substance use, and tragic overdoses,” said Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay.

More details including permanent drop-off locations are available at DelawareHealthyHomes.org or 800-882-9539, and from the DEA at dea.gov/take-back/takeback-news.shtml.

Kent and Sussex Drug Take-Back locations

• Bridgeville Fire Department

311 Market St.

Bridgeville, DE 19933

• Camden Police Department

1783 Friends Way

Camden, DE 19934

• Cheswold Police Department

691 Main St.

Cheswold, DE 19904

• Dagsboro Police Department

33134 Main St.

Dagsboro, DE 19939

• Dover AFB Commissary

268 Galaxy St.

Dover AFB, DE 19902

• Heritage at Dover Assisted Living

1203 Walker Rd.

Dover, DE 19904

• Felton Delaware Town Hall

24 E. Sewell St.

Felton, DE 19943

• Delaware State Police Troop 4

23652 Shortly Rd.

Georgetown, DE 19947

• Laurel Police Department

205 Mechanic St.

Laurel, DE 19956

• Lewes Municipal Building

114 E. Third St.

Lewes, DE 19958

• Milford Police Department

400 N.E. Front St.

Milford, DE 19963

• Ocean View Police Department

201 Central Ave.

Ocean View, DE 19970

• Beebe Medical Tunnel Center

18947 John Jay Williams Hwy.

Rehoboth, DE 19971

• Rehoboth Beach Police Department

229 Rehoboth Ave.

Rehoboth, DE 19971

• CVS Pharmacy

36252 Lighthouse Rd.

Selbyville, DE 19975

• Selbyville Town Hall

68 W. Church St.

Selbyville, DE 19975

• Atlantic Apothecary

103 S. DuPont Blvd., Suite 2

Smyrna, DE 19977