CHAMPAIGN — You may have forgotten all about those old prescription medications taking up space in one of your cabinets, but drug enforcement officials are offering a chance later this month to get them out of your house.

Two local Walgreens drugstores plan to help by hosting drop-off sites for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 29.

Sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, this event is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to offer people a safe way to dispose of unwanted and expired prescription drugs.

Why not just leave those half-used containers of pills in your home?

About 2,500 teenagers get their first high from prescription drugs, according to Partnership for a Drug Free America. And the DEA says studies show most prescription drugs that are abused come from family and friends and the home medicine cabinet.

Dee Cooley, district administrator at East Central Illinois Walgreens stores, said the Walgreens at 1713 W. Springfield Ave., C, and 1801 S. Philo Road, U, will participate offer drop-off sites.

People wishing to dispose of their unwanted medications can drive through and toss their medications in a box that will be tended by employees and police officers, she said.

Please note: The stores won't be able to accept any other kind of medical waste, such as sharpes containers or used syringes, Cooley said.

It's not possible to have collection sites at all Walgreens stores, she said, because police officers need to be on site and some communities don't have police staffing available.

The Vermilion County Sheriff's Department will also host a collection event that day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the county courthouse, 7 N. Vermilion St., Danville.

The most commonly abused prescription drugs are opiods such as OxyContin and Vicodin, central nervous system depressants such as Xanax and Valium, and stimulants such as Concerta and Adderall, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

In a May 2011 report, the institute found:

— Prescription and over-the-counter drugs are the drugs most commonly abused by high school seniors, with the exception of tobacco and alcohol.

— Nearly one out of 12 high school seniors said they used Vicodin for non-medical purposes and one in 20 seniors said they used OxyContin for non-medical purposes.

— 59 percent of high school seniors said they got prescription pain relievers for non-medical purpose through a friend or relative and only a negligible number obtained these drugs online.