The Valparaiso Police Department's two-day drive to collect people's unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medicines was a success, with 50 people bringing in 100 pounds of pills and syrups.

The event was so well received that police have announced they will have another drop-off day at the police station from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 7.

Sgt. Steve Jackson, who organized the pill drop off that wrapped up Tuesday, said every pill that was brought in is one less pill that could get into the hands of teens who want to experiment with drugs. Jackson said a sharp increase in teen pill usage prompted the collection drive.

Jackson gave out free drink coupons and YMCA day passes to those who brought in pills Monday and Tuesday, and he plans to hand out free movie passes during the next collection day. But he said that's not the reason people brought in their unwanted medicine.

"Every person I talked to said 'thanks for doing this. Finally I have some place to get this off my hands,'^" Jackson said.

If people are unable to bring their pills to the police station, the Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction District said Pharma-Card Pharmacy sites on Lute Road in Portage and Roosevelt Road in Valparaiso, and Fagen Pharmacy on U.S. 6 in South Haven, accept pills year round. The district is also having a collection date 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at the Porter County Expo Center.

Jackson is encouraging people not to flush pills down the toilet because they can end up in the water system, and he said pills tossed in the garbage can be found and used.