Merrimack and Bedford are among dozens of New Hampshire cities and towns accepting old and unwanted prescription drugs as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Anyone wanting to dispose of drugs that have expired or are no longer needed or wanted is encouraged to bring them to the most convenient site between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day for proper disposal.

Merrimack and Bedford police stations are serving as collection sites for this initiative. Merrimack’s is at 31 Baboosic Lake Road, while Bedford’s is at 55 Constitution Drive.

This is the third national take back day, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency initiative launched last year in response to a 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey that showed more than 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs.

Studies show that the majority of those who abuse prescription drugs get them from family and friends, often taking them from their home medicine cabinets, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. The agency further estimates about 2,500 teens get their first high from abusing prescription drugs.

“This is a great opportunity for those who missed the prior events or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs,” Merrimack police Lt. Paul Trepaney said, adding that Merrimack participated in both previous take back days.

“This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” he said.

Merrimack’s first two take back days were very successful, Trepaney said, with roughly 210 pounds of unwanted drugs collected – 129 in October 2010 and just over 81 pounds in April’s initiative.

Police collect the drugs in boxes and bags. The drugs are brought to DEA facilities and destroyed in incinerators.

Last fall, New Hampshire’s 50 collection sites took in close to 2,500 pounds of unwanted prescriptive drugs, roughly 10 percent of the amount collected across New England, according to regional DEA agent Steven Derr.

At the national level, close to 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies participated, collecting more than 309 tons of pills that otherwise may have gone down toilets or drains and eventually, in some cases, into groundwater and public water supplies.

Other collection sites in the area include Amherst, Londonderry, Windham, Derry, Litchfield, Goffstown, Hollis and Nashua.

Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 31, or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.