DEERFIELD, Ill. — State officials visited a Walgreens store in Iowa as the drug chain continued its deployment of safe medication disposal kiosks to help combat drug abuse and misuse.

Walgreens said drug take-back kiosks have been installed at eight of its drug stores in Iowa, including locations in Des Moines, Davenport (two stores), Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Clive and Ankeny.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad was on hand to help Walgreens launch the program, as were Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, House Majority Leader Chris Hagenow, Senate Republican Leader Charles Schneider and Steve Lukan, director of the governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy.

The kiosks provide a no-cost, convenient way year-round for customers to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances and over-the-counter medications.

“By making safe medication disposal kiosks available in select Iowa stores and expanding to other states this year, Walgreens is taking an important first step to reduce the misuse of medications throughout the country and curb the rise in overdose deaths,” Richard Ashworth, Walgreens’ president of pharmacy and retail operations, said in a statement. “Everyone has a role to play in minimizing prescription drug abuse, and we are committed to being part of a comprehensive solution to reverse this epidemic.”

Safe medication disposal kiosks are available at more than 300 Walgreens pharmacies in 23 states and Washington, D.C. In February, the drug chain unveiled plans to deploy the units at more than 500 of its stores around the nation.