Action Family Foundation, in conjunction with KHTS AM-1220, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, are holding the third annual SCV Drug Takeback Day.

On Saturday Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., prescription drugs can be dropped off at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, located at 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.

The purpose of the SCV Drug Takeback Day is to bring awareness about prescription drug abuse, get them off the streets and get rid of them in a safe way, said Cary Quashen, the president and founder of Action Family Foundation.

“I believe knowledge is power. (We want to) get as much knowledge out to the community about prescription drug abuse,” said Quashen. “We don’t want to lose anymore people.”

Many do not know how to properly dispose of prescriptions. Throwing them away or flushing them down the toilet are both potential safety and health hazards.

Prescriptions in medicine cabinets are also susceptible to abuse, said Quashen.

“So many people are getting their pills from medicine cabinets,” Quashen said.

Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, officials pick up all of the prescription drugs collected at the event.

Action Family Foundation has collected hundreds of pounds of prescription drugs at past events, said Quashen.

Sept. 26 is also National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, which is put on by the DEA.

“Prescription drug abuse is a huge problem and this is a great opportunity for folks around the country to help reduce the threat,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg in a news release. “Please clean out your medicine cabinet and make your home safe from drug theft and abuse.”

Nationwide, from 2010-2014, 4,823,251 pounds, or 2,411 tons of drugs were collected, according to DEA officials.