Turn in unused drugs Saturday at Wheeling Walmart

The Wheeling Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Saturday will give the public its 18th opportunity in nine years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26, people can bring pills for disposal to Walmart, 1455 W. Lake-Cook Road.

Sites cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous - no questions asked.

"The potential for abuse of these drugs is huge," said Chief Jamie Dunne. "And when people think about drug abuse, they often don't consider the drugs in their medicine cabinets. If those drugs aren't there, they can't be abused. It's as simple as that."

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, go to www.DEATakeBack.com or call the Wheeling Police Crime Prevention Unit at (847) 459-2994.