The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office participates in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Program, which provides citizens a way of disposing of their unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal. The next Drug Take-Back Day is scheduled for April 28.

Environmental problems such as water and soil contamination result when people flush their medications down the toilet. Studies have shown that 80 percent of the U.S. streams contain small amounts of human medicines. Sewage systems simply can't remove these medicines from water, which them makes its way into lakes, rivers or oceans.

The Sheriff's Office allows anyone to drop off unused or unwanted prescription drugs at the agency's manned district offices, Monday through Friday, during normal business hours. Homebound residents can also contact deputies to respond to their homes to collect the medications, which are destroyed.

Drop-Off Locations include Shalimar Courthouse Annex, 1250 North Eglin Parkway, Shalimar; North End District Office, 296 Brackin Street, Crestview; and Destin Substation, 107 Stahlman Avenue, Destin.

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