An event scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) is designed to tackle Iowa’s fastest growing form of substance abuse. Dale Woolery, with the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, says there will be around 80 sites in Iowa where people can safely dispose of their old or unwanted prescription medicines. Woolery says the “Take Back” events will keep pills from being flushed or dropped down a drain and potentially harming the environment. “And, we’re getting (these drugs) out of circulation to hopefully prevent the abuse of these medicines,” Woolery says.

The drop-off sites in Iowa are among thousands across the country as part of National Prescription Take Back Day. The event is sponsored twice each year by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Woolery says the drugs taken back in Iowa have been on the rise. “That may mean there’s increasing awareness and better understanding that there is a safer, better way to get rid of our medications. At least we hope so,” Woolery says.

During the last Take Back day in April, Iowans dropped off an all-time high amount of prescription drugs. “Nearly four tons of unused medicines were disposed of at around 100 sites around the state,” Woolery says. Most of the Take Back sites in Iowa will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take Back locations can be found through a search on the website D-E-A dot gov (dea.gov).

Here are some locations in the KJAN listening area:

• The Audubon Police Dept. (410 N. Park Place)

• Manning Police Dept. (309 Elm St.)

• Hy-Vee Pharmacy in Red Oak

• Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office (200 N. 5th St.)

• Treynor Community Center (11 W. Main)

• Coon Rapids Police Dept. (123 3rd Ave. S.)

• Carroll Police Dept. (rear of the bldg. at 112 E. 5th St.)

• Walgreens in Council Bluffs (535 E. Broadway)

• Carter Lake City Hall (950 Locust St.)

• Medicap Pharmacy (1206 Locust St.) in Glenwood.

(story by Radio Iowa/Ric Hanson-KJAN)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Veteran Iowa Republicans are quietly working to wrest control of the state GOP from libertarian and Christian conservative factions they blame for alienating longtime donors. Led by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, these Republicans tell the Associated Press they want to grow the party by seeking pragmatic solutions over ideological purity. The Iowa GOP has experienced significant infighting since a supporter of then presidential candidate Ron Paul won the state party chairmanship following the 2012 election.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad is suspending the specific hours that drivers can transport propane in Iowa. Branstad announced the emergency declaration yesterday. It goes into effect today and ends November 7th.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa business owners can begin applying for a new property tax credit that was part of a tax reform package approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor earlier this year. The property tax credit applies to certain commercial, industrial, and railroad properties. Applications for credit against 2013 property tax assessments must be received by the county or city assessor by January 15th.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City workers are hauling in dirt to historic Floyd Cemetery to fill in a gully and make sure erosion doesn’t expose any graves. City officials tell the Journal the ongoing project involves bringing in soil and extending drainage tubes. The work should eventually slow runoff and erosion.

One person was injured during a collision Thursday afternoon between two pickup trucks in Adams County. The Iowa State Patrol says 72-year old Donald Hardisty, of Corning, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported by Adams County Rescue to Alegent Creighton Health/Mercy Hospital in Corning, after the 1993 Ford Ranger he was driving crashed into a 1993 Ford F-350, driven by 21-year old Shayne Larson, of Red Oak. The accident happened just before 3-p.m., at the intersection of 150th Street and Corning-Carl Road.

The Patrol says Larson was traveling west on 150th and had come to a complete stop at the intersection, before pulling out into the path of Hardisty’s pickup. Hardistry swerved to avoid a collision but his smaller truck was struck by Larson’s larger pickup. Hardisty’s vehicle entered the west ditch and rolled over before coming to rest.

Corning Fire and Rescue and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

One Nebraska resident was killed and another injured during a crash Thursday between a van and a semi northwest of the Lewis and Clark State Park, in Monona County. The Iowa State Patrol said the driver of the van, 26-year old Raetahne Thomas, of Walthill, NE, died following the crash that happened on Cherry Avenue, just south of County road K-42. Authorities say she was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the semi, 43-year old Ricky Kellog, of Tekamah, NE, was transported by Onawa Rescue to Burgess Hospital, where he was treated and released.

The Patrol says Thomas’ 2001 Oldsmobile van was traveling north on Cherry Avenue at around 2:50-p.m., as a 1985 Mack semi driven by Kellog, was traveling south. The vehicles sideswiped each other as they rounded a curve. Thomas’ van came to rest in the ditch, while the semi rolled over and came to rest on the road. Thomas was transported to Burgess Hospital, where she died from her injuries.