The ninth annual Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.

During this time, unwanted or unused prescription medications may be safely disposed of at any of three island locations: Island County Sheriff’s Office in Freeland; the Coupeville Marshal’s Office in Coupeville Town Hall; or at the Oak Harbor Police Department on Barrington Drive.

The event is a part of the National Take Back Initiative sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

Organizers say the take-back program addresses a public safety and health issue and helps to prevent abuse of medications.

According to takebackyourmeds.org, medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning, and improperly disposed of medications can be damaging to the environment.

More information on the initiative can be found at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov