RICHMOND, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- This weekend is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and several area law enforcement agencies are participating.

People can safely and anonymously dispose of unwanted, unused and expired medications.

It’s all part of a national effort to combat the drug overdose epidemic by removing medications from homes so that they cannot be misused or abused.

Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, the Albemarle County Police Department, the Charlottesville Police Department, the University of Virginia Police Department, the Gordonsville Police Department, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office will all be hosting collection locations around the area.

Certain locations may have limitations on what they can accept, but most will accept unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

Personally-identifying information should be removed from any prescription bottles.

Some will also accept vape pens and e-cigarettes with the batteries removed.

Sharps and other medical waste will not be accepted.

All dropped-off medications will be handled by medical and law enforcement and properly destroyed.

To find a drop-off location, click here.