Law enforcement officers are encouraging the public to dispose of outdated and unwanted medication as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Sept. 29.

The Waynesville Police Department is hosting a local take back at Ingles on Barber Boulevard in Waynesville from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Any prescription collected will be turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for safe disposal.

According to the U.S. DEA, every day 2,500 youth ages 12 to 17 abuse prescription medication for the first time.

In Haywood County alone, 25 percent of deaths investigated by the coroner's office is a result of prescription drug abuse.

During the take back event last October, DEA and local law enforcement agencies collected more than 7,500 pounds of prescription drugs statewide.