The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other local law enforcement agencies will participate Saturday in the National Take Back Initiative, a program aimed at removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs from homes.

The initiative provides an opportunity for citizens to safely turn over expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances or other medications to law enforcement for destruction.

The program is completely anonymous and free of charge. Residents who have unwanted prescription drugs can drop them off at three sites in Osceola County: Publix at Pleasant Hill Commons located at 3343 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Kissimmee; Publix Sabor located at 1980 E. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee and Publix Center of St. Cloud located at 4401 13th St. in St. Cloud. All locations will have deputies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers will be accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original containers with the cap tightly sealed to prevent leakage. Intravenous solutions, injectables and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazards.

“Turning in expired, unwanted or unused prescription and non-prescription drugs prevents mistaken use and availability to others such as children or individuals who might discover them. It is also environmentally the safest way for disposal,” Sheriff Bob Hansell said.

Since 2011, Osceola Sheriff’s deputies have participated five times in the DEA sponsored program and took in 354 pounds of drugs.