It's time to look in medicine cabinets, round up unused or expired prescription drugs and turn them in Saturday to police.

Law enforcement agencies around the country are participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration's third National Prescription Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In the Tri-Cities, drugs can be dropped off at the Kennewick police station, 211 W. Sixth Ave., or the West Richland police station, 3805 W. Van Giesen St.

Walla Walla police also are collecting drugs across the street from the station at 15 N. Third Ave. in Walla Walla.

"We can't take things in advance," said Mike Blatman, Kennewick police crime prevention specialist. "We can only take it at the time of the actual Take Back Day."

Prescription drugs that are dropped off are secured by officers, then transferred to the DEA to properly destroy.

Illegal drugs or hypodermic needles won't be accepted.

The DEA has had two prescription Take Back Days -- last September and this past spring -- and scheduled a third one this month because of the demand.

In the first event, more than 121 tons of pills were turned in across the country. Old or unused prescriptions turned in by Tri-Citians filled five large tote boxes and were estimated to have a street value of $150,000 to $200,000.

In April, 188 tons of drugs were collected nationwide. In the Tri-Cities, about 400 pounds of prescription drugs, with an estimated street value of $250,000, were brought in by 165 people, officials said.

The goal of Take Back Day is to help prevent or reduce prescription drug abuse. It also helps prevent unwanted medicines going into the water supply, because a common way to dispose of unused prescriptions is to flush them down the toilet, officials said.

In Kennewick, Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers also has planned a Shred Day to go along with the drug take-back event. Shred Day, typically held each spring, provides a way for people to safely toss junk mail, old financial documents and credit card or bank statements.

Blatman said they have such demand each spring, that they decided to offer a second Shred Day this year. Shredding financial documents helps prevent identity theft.

A limit of two banker boxes or grocery bags will be accepted.

There's no cost to drop off prescription drugs or items to be shredded, but Crime Stoppers will be accepting donations from people bringing items to Shred Day. Donations will go toward the Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers' reward fund.

Walla Walla police also will be accepting items to shred, thanks to American West Bank, which is providing a shred truck. Old cellphones also can be dropped off to be reconditioned and redistributed to Walla Walla domestic violence victims.