Today is the day to get rid of unused and unwanted prescription medications and other drugs that pose a danger to addicts and children.

There will be 10 drop-off sites in the area to properly dispose of medications that have expired or are not being used. Illegal street drugs such as heroin and cocaine also will be accepted, without penalty.

The service is free of charge, no questions asked.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is coordinating the national Take-Back Prescription Drugs program across the nation. It is the third collection of painkillers since 2010.

During a phone conference this week, federal officials said overdose deaths from prescription drugs outnumbered deaths caused by heroin and cocaine.

“Prescription painkillers were involved in more than 15,000 overdose deaths in 2009,” said Director Gil Kerlikowske of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. “That is more than cocaine and heroin combined.”

Dr. Ileana Arias, principal deputy director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called prescription medication addiction an “epidemic.”

About 15,500 people died from overdosing on prescription painkillers in 2009, 10 times more than in 1999, Arias said.

Michele Leonhart, DEA administrator, said more than 500 tons of prescription medications were collected in the first two Take-Back programs, which were held in September 2010 and April 2011.

“This nationwide community effort prevents home medicine cabinets from becoming sources of dangerous and even deadly drugs,” Leonhart said.

Prescription medications and other controlled substances can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at:

• Berwick Police Department, 1800 Market St., Berwick.

• Butler Township Police Department, 415 W. Butler Dr., Butler Township.

• Duryea Police Department, 315 Main St., Duryea.

• Hazleton Police Department, at Giant Food Store, 70 S. Locust St., Hazleton.

• Kingston Township Police Department, 180 E. Center St., Kingston Township.

• State police at Wyoming, 475 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming.

• State police at Shickshinny, 872 Salem Blvd., Salem Township.

• State police at Tunkhannock, state Route 6, Tunkhannock.

• Wright Township Police Department, 321 S. Mountain Blvd., Wright Township.

• Wyoming County Detectives, at CVS Pharmacy, Towne Plaza, state Route 6, Tunkhannock.