Cole County Sheriff’s deputies collected about 16,500 pills and about 1.5 liters (about 3.17 cups) of liquid drugs Saturday in Taos.
The drugs takeback, co-sponsored by the Missouri Rural Water Association, was Saturday at the Public Water Supply District 4 office, 7712 Route M.
The Jefferson City Police and federal Drug Enforcement Administration held a similar drugs takeback — but no liquids — at the police station, but results from that event were not available Saturday.
The next Cole County takeback day should be in the St. Martins area in about three months, Chief Deputy John Wheeler said. Also, Russellville is the planned pickup location in about six months.
Authorities say 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.
The usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — pose potential safety and health hazards.