The Jefferson City Police Department and Cole County Sheriff's Department have released more details on drug take-back events that will take place Saturday.
JCPD, along with the Council for Drug Free Youth, will be taking back unwanted prescription drugs at the police department on Monroe Street. Signs will be posted allowing dropoff without exiting your vehicle.
The Cole County Sheriff's Department and Taos Water District No. 4 are sponsoring a take-back event at the water district office, 7712 Route M in Taos.
Both events will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Residents can bring their pills or patches for disposal, but the sites cannot accept liquids or needles.
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Those working at the sites will also adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.
In a news release, Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler said a study from 2013 shows 12- to 17-year-olds abuse prescription drugs more than ecstasy, heroin, crack/cocaine and methamphetamines combined. He added statistics also show almost one in every four teens in America said they have misused or abused a prescription drug.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period. The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.
At its last Take Back Day in October, the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency collected a record-high amount of expired, unwanted and unused prescription medications, with the public turning in close to 500 tons of unwanted drugs. Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, the DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs.