Prescription drugs are issued every day but what's left unused is not typically disposed of properly.
As part of national Take Back Drug Day, a drive through drop off location was set up outside of the St. Luke's in Meridian Saturday.
There was a steady flow of traffic with plenty of people who also arrived to drop off papers needing to be shredded.
The free public events are held every Spring and Fall to protect against identity fraud and prescription drug abuse.
Plus, throwing away medication or flushing them down the toilet can end up polluting land and water.
"There have been plenty of people coming in to the ER's of places just like this because they took something that they shouldn't have or maybe it counteracted with some type of other drug they were taking legitimately," said Ted Arnold, law enforcement coordinator for the Crimestoppers of Southwest Idaho. "It's a really bad idea. People take stuff that they shouldn't and it can kill them very quickly."
Drug take back day events in the past have brought in about 100 pounds worth of medication in Meridian, according to police. Saturday's drop off location received a total of 581 pounds of unwanted or leftover prescriptions.
Medication disposal boxes are available to the public each week during regular business hours in Meridian at the police department inside their main lobby.
