Crime & Safety

Got (Unwanted) Drugs?

Saturday is the next Medication Take-Back Event in Wildwood and Eureka. See what's accepted and where to take it.

Another Medication Take-Back Event is scheduled for Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

"This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse," said Chief Michael Wiegand.

Wildwood residents may drop off unwanted or expired medications with officers to the Fru-Con Center building located at 15933 Clayton Road.

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The will collect the same items for Eureka residents at 120 City Hall Dr.

The medication collections are done in partnership with local police, the Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

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Donors should take medications in their original packaging. Donations can be from a licensed pharmacist, including controlled substances, liquids containing medications, prescription inhalers, medicated ointments or patches, and over-the-counter medications.

Items not accepted Saturday are:

  • illicit drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana
  • sharp objects including needles
  • radioactive medicines
  • bio-hazardous materials

According to statistics distributed by Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition representatives, 2,500 U.S. youths every day abuse prescription drugs for the first time. They also state that one in five young people abuse prescription drugs, and that 25 percent of drug-related emergency room visits are associated with the abuse of prescription medications.

Last April, Americans turned in 376,593 pounds—188 tons—of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners, said Wiegand.

He indicated that rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, he said.

Americans are advised that their 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.

In addition, Eureka's police officers now provide a drop-box receptacle in the police building lobby so area residents may dispose of unused medicines 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


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