Area communities will come together Saturday for National Drug Take Back Day.
Events will be held across the area where area residents can drop off unwanted, unused or expired medication for safe disposal.
Leftover medication can be dangerous and poses threats to communities, according to law enforcement. Forgotten medications can be in danger of being misused, and can also present potential harm when improperly disposed of.
This bi-annual event hosted by the DEA offers free, anonymous disposal at over 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. DEA and law enforcement partners will be collecting unwanted tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. According to the DEA, liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illicit drugs will not be accepted. They will accept vaping devices and cartridges provided the lithium batteries are removed.
“Disposal of unneeded and potentially dangerous drugs can help keep our communities safe and healthy,” said Missouri Board of Pharmacy Executive Director Kimberly Grinston. “It’s important that we all do our part to prevent these drugs from being misused and prevent overdose deaths.”
Area drop off locations will include:
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Poplar Bluff Police Department, 1111 Poplar St. Officers will also be handing out medication lock boxes courtesy of Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health - Prevention Department.
• Other locations open for drop off between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. are: Dexter, Doniphan, Bernie and Malden police departments; and the Clay County, Arkansas, sheriff’s department.
A similar event in October 2021 saw more than 370 tons of unwanted medications collected nationwide, with over 4,300 law enforcement agencies participating.