Police departments in Massena, Ogdensburg, Potsdam and Hogansburg will be participating in the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s “National Take Back Initiative” on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Area residents with unused prescription drugs or expired medications may turn them in for safe disposal at the police stations, according to Police Chief Timmy J. Currier.

The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department in Canton is also participating in the fourth annual event, Currier said.

Americans that participated in the DEA’s third National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on October 29, 2011, turned in more than 377,086 pounds (188.5 tons) of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,327 take-back sites that were available in all 50 states and U.S. territories. When the results of the three prior Take-Back Days are combined, the DEA, and its state, local, and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have removed 995,185 pounds (498.5 tons) of medication from circulation in the past 13 months.

For more information, visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html