There will be two drug takeback events Saturday.
From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Jefferson City Police Department (JCPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will accept pills for disposal at the Police Department, located at 401 Monroe St. Only pills and patches will be accepted; the DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps.
The service is free and anonymous.
People wanting to drop off their medications should come to the alley on the south side of the Police Department, where JCPD personnel will assist with the disposal process.
Also Saturday, the Cole County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri Rural Water Association will hold a takeback at County Public Water Supply District 4, 7712 Route M.
Residents can drop off unused pills and see them destroyed from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Authorities said one of the main reasons to do takeback events is medicines that languish in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.
Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, the 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.