The Island County Sheriff Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration will hold another prescription drug collection day later this month.

Residents can help prevent pill abuse and theft by dropping off potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs at the sheriff’s office in Freeland from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

The sheriff’s office said the service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

The Freeland precinct is located at 5521 E Harbor Road.

During the last collection effort, in April, people across the country turned in 188 tons of unwanted prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies.

Authorities warn that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Two other locations will also accept unwanted drugs on Oct. 29: the Coupeville Marshal Office at 4 NE Seventh St.; and the Oak Harbor Police Department at 860 SE Barrington Drive, Oak Harbor.