NORWICH – The Norwich City Police Department and Chenango County Sheriff’s Office – partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency – will collect unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Norwich, Sherburne and Afton police departments.

In recent years, the abuse of prescription drugs has skyrocketed, according to law enforcement officials. The number of accidental poisonings and overdoses is also alarmingly high, and studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends. Typical methods for the disposal of unused prescription drugs – such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – warned police, could pose both safety and health hazards.