When parents and grandparents imagine horror scenarios involving drugs for their children and grandchildren, they usually think of drug deals in dark alleys, of cocaine, crystal meth and heroin addictions and of loved ones far from the safety of home.

Unfortunately, the truth is that sometimes drug addictions are fueled in the last place parents want to believe is possible — the family home.

Prescription drugs, typically legitimately prescribed and purchased, have become a dangerous temptation for teenagers and adults who look to experiment with drugs. Easily found and easily forgotten, the use of prescription drugs is skyrocketing.

As Pelham police Lt. Larry Palmer said, studies have shown prescription drug abuse is more prevalent than marijuana and cocaine use combined.

Several local law enforcement agencies are offering a chance for families to protect their loved ones by holding a drug take-back day at area locations this Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Law enforcement officials will take unused prescription drugs with no questions asked. Citizens dropping off prescription drugs don’t even have to get out of their cars.

Drop-off points include the Target store in Alabaster’s Colonial Promenade shopping center, at the Greystone YMCA at 5414 U.S. 280, at the Pelham Police Department at 32 Philip Davis St., at the University of Montevallo’s Department of Public Safety Station and at the Winn Dixie supermarket at 2653 Valleydale Road.

Personal identity information on prescription pill bottles should be removed or marked through with permanent marker.

It couldn’t be easier to get rid of these dangerous drugs, so go through your medicine cabinets, bathroom and kitchen drawers and get rid of any prescription drugs you don’t need. Perhaps you can stop an addiction before it even starts.

If you have any medicines you need to keep, be sure to keep a watch on them. Keep track of how many pills are in each bottle. That way if someone in your home is harboring an addiction, you can figure it out and get that person the help he or she needs before it’s too late.

The We Say is the opinion of the Shelby County Reporter editorial board.