Several Butler County police departments will participate Saturday in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day — a one-day effort to collect unwanted prescription drugs.

The goal of the semiannual event, which was started by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency nearly 20 years ago, is to prevent increased pill abuse and theft, according to organizers.

Residents are asked to check their homes for any unused, expired or no-longer-needed prescription medication that could fall into the wrong hands, and dispose of the drugs at a designated collection site.

Law enforcement agencies in Butler County collected more than 600 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs during the National Take Back Day held April 27.

Countywide, there will be 13 collection sites available to the public for the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Many of those sites, mostly at local police departments, have permanent collection boxes that are available year-round. The others are temporary for the event.

The following are drop-off sites in the county:

- Butler City Police Department, 200 W. New Castle St., Butler

- Butler Township Police Department, Walmart, 400 Butler Commons, Butler

- Butler County Sheriff, Sam's Club, 200 Moraine Pointe Plaza, Butler

- Butler County Sheriff, Unionville Volunteer Fire Department, 102 Mahood Road, Butler.

- Cranberry Township Police Department, 2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township

- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMC Sherwood Oaks, (Employees and residents), 100 Norman Dr., Cranberry Township