FERNDALE - Residents can drop off unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs at Haggen Pharmacy and the police station.

Narcotics and other controlled substances must be taken in their original bottles to the police station, 2220 Main St. Other medicines can be dropped off at Haggen, 1815 Main St.

The city's new prescription takeback program is promoted as an alternative to throwing pills in unsecured trash bins, flushing them down the toilet or storing them after they expire. The aim is to prevent water contamination, accidental poisoning and the spread of illegal narcotics among drug addicts.

More information is at cityofferndale.org/drugtakeback.

Reach Ralph Schwartz at 360-715-2289 or ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com. Read his politics blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics or follow him on Twitter at @bhamheraldpolitics.