The Jefferson City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public the opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
Bring pills for disposal to the lobby of the police department at 401 Monroe St. Only pills and patches will be accepted, as the DEA cannot accept liquids or needles. The service is free and anonymous.
This initiative, generally held twice a year, addresses a public safety and public health issue, authorities said.
Medicines that languish in home cabinets are susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, which correlates to high rates of prescription drug abuse along with the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses, DEA officials said. Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans' 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.