The Zachary Police Department, with support from the City of Zachary, is conducting a prescription drug take-back event on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The initiative, called Operation Medicine Cabinet, asks all citizens to drop off unwanted or expired medicine for safe disposal at a collection site located at 4510 Main St. in Zachary.

A free bowl of jambalaya will be given with each drop-off.

Medicines accepted include any prescription drug of medicine used for people or pets including pills, liquids, inhalers, patches and Epi-Pens.

What will not be accepted are syringes or medical equipment, says Zachary Police Chief David McDavid.

An additional option for citizens is to drop off medicines in the Rx drop box located at the Florida Street entrance to the Zachary Police Department. McDavid said this drop-box is available now 24 hours a day/seven days a week.

All medicines dropped-off will safely be disposed of by incineration, said McDavid.

For more information on Operation Medicine Cabinet, please contact the ZPD at 654-0073.

Safe disposal tips of household medicines include:

•Never flush medicine down the toilet. It can interfere with wastewater treatment plant operations, beneficial bacteria and harm fish downstream.

•Keep medicine in its original container to keep from falling into the wrong hands.

•Mark out a patient's name and prescription number prior to disposal.

•Treat pills by adding water or soda to dissolve them. For liquids, add something absorbent such as cat litter or dirt.

•Close all lids securely with duct tape. Place bottles inside opaque (non-see thru) containers such as coffee can or laundry detergent bottle.

•Conceal container inside your trash can, and be sure not to place in the recycle bin.