By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Those looking to get rid of unwanted and unused prescription drugs soon will have several options for doing so, according to the commander of the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force.

The Task Force will hold its second drug takeback day of the year on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at several locations throughout the county. The takeback is designed to allow locals to properly and safely dispose of their unused prescription drugs, therefore cutting down on potential sources of prescription drug abuse, particularly among teens and children.

The takeback will be held at the CVS Pharmacy at 520 Alabama 119 in Alabaster, at the CVS Pharmacy at 4685 Shelby County 17 in Helena, at the Pelham Police Department at 32 Philip Davis St., at the University of Montevallo on Main at 737 Main St. and at the Winn Dixie supermarket at 500 Inverness Corners in Hoover.

No information is required at the dropoff, which will accept any over-the-counter or prescription medication.

During a Sept. 18 Shelby County Drug Free Coalition meeting, Task Force Commander Lt. Kevin Turner said the Task Force recently applied for and was awarded a CVS grant to fund prescription disposal bins at four CVS stores throughout the county, and said the Helena Police Department also received a grant to fund a disposal bin at the Helena store.

Once in place, the bins will provide local residents a chance to properly dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs 24 hours a day throughout the year. Previously, the Task Force’s two takeback days were the only opportunities for Shelby County residents to properly dispose of prescriptions.

“CVS has really done a great job in the last year of supporting law enforcement and combating opioid addiction,” Turner said.

Beginning in mid-October, pharmacies and prescription drug dispensaries will be able to apply for Drug Enforcement Administration grants to fund disposal bins at their locations, Turner said.