If you've got prescription medications that you need to get rid of, either because they are old or you just aren't taking them; here's a list of where you can drop them off.

A number of communities offer the service to prevent people from dumping medications into the water supply and want to reduce prescription medication abuse.

One of our bloggers, attorney Mark Powers, wrote a blog about the mishandling of prescription medications and offered the following advice.

If you are taking these kinds of drugs with legal prescriptions, here are some Dos and Don’ts:

• Use only the medications that have been prescribed to you with the advice and consent of your doctor for the drug’s intended purpose.
• Keep your prescriptions up to date.
• Don’t self-diagnose and self-medicate.
• Get rid of old prescription drugs you are no longer using.  There are plenty of opportunities to dispose of prescription drugs. Check out the DFC (Drug Free Communities) collection schedule in your area.

Bayside residents can drop their prescription medications off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Bayside Police Department, 9075 Regent Rd. Residents need to reside in Bayside and have identification.

Fox Point residents can drop their prescription medications off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. until noon on Friday at the Fox Point Police Department, 7300 North Santa Monica Blvd. The service is open to anyone, but people will need to show identification.

Medications need to be in the original packaging.

According to the Bayside Police website, the following items can be brought in:

• Prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Ointments
• Sprays
• Inhalers
• Creams
• Vials
• Pet medication