On April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Elgin Police Department, along with the Camden Police Department, the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public the opportunity to dispose of and prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for the disposal to Elgin Town Hall, located at 2469 Main St., Elgin.The service is free and anonymous.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Studies show that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are not advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines -- flushing them down the toilet or tossing them in the trash -- both pose potential safety and health hazards.