Crime & Safety

Eureka, Wildwood Police Part of Areawide Drug Take-Back Program

The Eureka Police Department and the Wildwood precinct of the St. Louis County Police are collaborating with the Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition to provide a means to collect unwanted prescription drugs.

The Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition, local police departments and the Drug Enforcement Administration are teaming up to curb medication abuse and to provide an outlet for the public to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs.

The Coalition is collaborating with local police departments to sponsor prescription drug take-back events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various locations throughout the area, according to a Coalition news release.

The Eureka Police Department event is set at Eureka City Hall, 120 City Hall Dr., while the St. Louis County Police-Wildwood (6th) Precinct will host their event at the Fru-Con Center building located at 15933 Clayton Road.

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Other police departments participating in the Apr. 27 drug take-back are in Ballwin, Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Ellisville, Eureka, Fenton and Wildwood.

Prescription medication abuse is epidemic across the U.S., according to the news release, adding that every day, on average, 6,000 people abuse prescription drugs for the first time.  About 2,700 of them (or 45 percent) are teens trying to get high or perform better on exams. The news release also pointed out that 60 percent of the teens are under age 15 and many of them will transition from prescription medication abuse to using heroin or other drugs.

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Missouri is the only state that does not have a statewide prescription monitoring program, according to the news release, which also stated programs implemented by other states have proven to be effective in reducing doctor shopping and prescription fraud and misuse. 

The Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition, a community leader in providing education, leadership and resources to address and prevent youth substance abuse, offers two current programs to address medication abuse:

  • A community-wide education campaign supported by area physicians, pharmacists, hospitals and schools where posters, billboards and website resources share the message that prescription misuse is drug abuse.
  • The Apr. 27 medication take-back events where residents can bring unused and unneeded prescription and over-the-counter (including pet) medications for safe and proper disposal.

The vast majority of misused medication is obtained from homes,according to the Coalition. 

 “We estimate that there are approximately 400,000 excess prescriptions in Rockwood community medicine cabinets each year,” said Renee Heney, Drug-Free Coalition director in the news release. “While we collect 2,500-3,000 pounds of excess medicine twice each year, this makes only a dent in the amount of drugs available for misuse.  Nevertheless, we have the opportunity to educate citizens and we collect more medication each time we hold an event.”

“Parents and grandparents need to rethink monitoring of their medication supplies,” said Jim Meyer, chairperson.  “We latch cabinets to keep our young children safe, but as children get older, we tend to overlook the danger that still exists.”

“Residents are encouraged to think about proper medication disposal at least several times each year,” said Dan Armbruster, a Eureka police officer who has volunteered his time to work the events since the Coalition started holding them in November 2009. “It might be easiest to do a cabinet clean-out each spring and fall in conjunction with daylight savings time, or when batteries are changed in smoke detectors.”

Both the Eureka Police Department and the St. Louis County Valley Park precinct provide permanent medication drop boxes in their lobbies – available 7 days a week, 24 hours per day – for all residents.

To volunteer to help with either of these Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition efforts, or for more information, contact Laura Pacino at 636-733-2186.


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