Several local agencies have teamed up to keep prescription drugs out of the wrong hands.

Each day, nearly 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.

Studies have shown that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle said local authorities want parents to remember the war on drugs starts at home.

"We've seen an increase in prescription drug use and abuse. Getting those unused, dangerous pills out of our homes keeps them out of our children's hands," he said.

The sheriff's office, along with Family Connection and Dawson Against Substance Abuse, will have a prescription drug take back day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at CVS Pharmacy in Dawsonville.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

The collected pills are then turned over to the federal Drug Enforce-ment Administration, which destroys them.

Several pounds of prescription pills were collected during the group's last take-back event.

The prescription drug take-back event allows the public to safely dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications.

For more information, call (706) 265-1981.