The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement officials from across the country in support of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The program, scheduled for this Saturday, is an effort to collect potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for proper disposal and destruction. The service is free and anonymous.The last National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was held Nov. 2. On that day, law enforcement agencies in all 50 states collected more than 647,000 pounds 324 tons of prescription medications. Law enforcement partners from across the country have removed more than 3.4 million pounds, or 1,733 tons, of medication from circulation since the program began in 2010."Demographically, we are seeing an alarming increase in abuse of prescription medications among middle- and high-school students," Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane said. "The first place they find these drugs is in medicine cabinets. I encourage everyone to visit a drop location on April 26 and safely dispose of unwanted medications before they fall into the wrong hands."Prescription drug abuse in the United States is increasing at an alarming rate. The Office of Attorney General has arrested hundreds of people for illegally diverting prescription drugs, including doctors, nurses and medical professionals.A common misconception with prescription drug disposal is that it is safe to flush unwanted medicine down the toilet or simply throw them away. However, these options pose potential health and safety hazards.