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CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. -- New York State participates in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On Saturday, State Troopers and local authorities teamed up with the Drug Enforcement Administration to collected unwanted medications, so they can be properly disposed of.

Officials said the initiative is an opportunity for the public to get rid of dangerously expired, and unused prescriptions. With high rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States, official said Take Back events like this are important to help fight pill abuse and theft.

"We're out here, one, to make sure these drugs don't get diverted into the illegitimate market, and two, to help protect the environment, because we collect them, we incinerate them, and therefore they don't enter the water system," explained James Burns, Assistant Special Agent DEA.

Last year, more than 188 tons of prescription drugs were turned into the more than 5,000 take back sites across the country.