The Wareham Police Department will hold a prescription drug disposal day at the Wareham Fire Department, 273 Main Street, on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents from Wareham and the surrounding area are asked to gather expired, unused, and unneeded medications, which will be collected and safely disposed of for free by the as part of a nationwide initiative of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

Prescription drug disposal is completely anonymous and free of charge for area residents. Syringes, needles, medical devices, thermometers and IV bags cannot be accepted, however.

Police Chief Richard Stanley noted that prescription drug abuse leads to a high rate of addiction and many people obtain the drugs from their homes or from a friend's home.

"Prescription are currently abused by people in greater numbers than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants combined,” Chief Stanley said in a statement. “Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem and one that we all need to address.”

For more information contact Detective Alan Courchesne of the Wareham Police Department at 508-295-1212 ext. 2238, or by e-mail at alan_courchesne@warehampolice.com.