WESTPORT — Unwanted and unused prescription medications will be collected Saturday in conjunction with the 24th “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” campaign.

The free and anonymous collection will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Westport Center for Senior Activities, 21 Imperial Ave.

The local program is being conducted by the Police Department, in partnership with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, as a way to curb abuse of prescription medications and drug overdoses, which claimed a record 93,000 lives in the U.S. last year, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Among the items that can be dropped off include prescription pills and patches, as well as liquids as long as they are sealed in original containers.

Vape pens also will be accepted, but only those from which the batteries can be removed.

Illegal drugs, needles or sharps will not be accepted.

There also is a collection bin in the lobby of Police Department headquarters, 50 Jesup Road, where unused prescription drugs can be deposited at any time during the year.