Louis County police, DEA team on drug take-back effort

The Federal Way Police Department will be taking back the public’s unused and unwanted prescription drugs on September 26.

On National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day there will be more than 5,000 collection sites across the country and many drop-off sites will be located in Nebraska. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse”.

This initiative comes about at a time when rates of prescription drug abuse in the USA are increasing significantly, according to a recent news release from the JCC Police Department.

Studies show that many people who abuse prescription drugs obtain the drugs from a family member or friend.

People are advised to refrain from flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, as both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Prescription drug drop boxes are also available for residents to safely and anonymously dispose of prescription medications in all 10 of Naperville’s fire stations on a 24-hour, seven days a week basis.

This was apparently the eleventh event for the program, during which a total of 52,002 pounds of unwanted or expired medicines have been collected.

Earlier this month, Attorney General DeWine, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, and Ohio Mental Health & Addiction Services sent a letter to law enforcement agencies reminding them to take part in this important event.

Combined results for the previous nine Take-Back events in Washington State 2010-2014, resulted in 108,399 pounds (54.2 tons) of drugs removed from circulation.

Collection sites can accept prescription and over-the-counter “solid dosage” drugs (tablets and capsules) but intravenous solutions, injectable medications and needles are not accepted. Medications collected at all of the departments will be turned over to the DEA for proper disposal.