CHARLESTON, Mo. -Several local law enforcement agencies are participating in the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Unused or expired prescription medication can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Charleston Department of Public Safety lobby and at the Dexter Police Department, 305 Cooper St.
The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked
Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds--more than 3,500 tons--of pills.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines--flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash--both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Several area law enforcement agencies, including the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, have permanent boxes where drugs can be disposed of at any time in their lobbies. Visit www.dea.gov or call 800-882-9539 for other collection sites.