Several local law enforcement agencies will provide an opportunity for people to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs Saturday during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Millions of Americans struggle with addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Many abuse unused or expired drugs prescribed to family and friends, sometimes taking medicines from the home medicine cabinet.
Fulton Police Department Sgt. Doug McGrath will be stationed Saturday outside the Fulton Fire Department on Tennyson Road. Those dropping off medications don’t even have to step out of the car.
The point of the event, McGrath explained, is to help keep drugs out of the hands of children and those struggling with addiction, as well as ensuring drugs don’t end up in the trash or in waterways.
Prescription drugs should never be shared. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the best way to dispose of prescription and over the counter medicines is to drop it off at a drug take-back site immediately.
The following local law enforcement agencies will collect prescription drugs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday:
• Holts Summit Police Department at Holts Summit City Hall, 245 S. Summit Drive, Holts Summit.
• Fulton Police Department at the Fulton Fire Department, 151 West Tennyson Road, Fulton.
• Callaway County Sheriff’s Office at Callaway 2 Water District, 2610 N. Westminster Avenue, Fulton.
• Linn City Hall, 1200 E. Main St., Linn.
• California Police Department, 500 S. Oak St., California.
• Boone County Sheriff’s Department at Harry S. Truman VA Hospital, 800 Hospital Drive, Columbia; MU Student Center, 2500 MU Student Center, Columbia; Rock Bridge High School, 4303 S. Providence Road, Columbia; Hickman High School, 1104 N. Providence Road, Columbia; Ashland Police Department, 601 E. Broadway, Ashland; and Hallsville Police Department, 202 Highway 124 East, Hallsville.
Authorities cannot accept liquids, needles or other sharps at these events.
Take-back events are free and anonymous.
In addition to the twice-annual event in October and April, there are several places to drop off medications year-round. The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office and the Fulton Police Department both have lobby drop-boxes available 24/7.
For more information about disposal of prescription drugs or the Oct. 24 Take Back Day event, go to DEATakeBack.com.