Turn in old prescription drugs, no questions asked on Saturday
Law enforcement agencies across Madison County will partner with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on April 30 to collect expired, or unwanted, prescription or over-the-counter medications.
As part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day set on Saturday, 15 Madison County police agencies, including the Highland Police Department, will serve as drop-off locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.)
Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. 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, including from the home medicine cabinet.
In addition, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons, Coroner Steve Nonn and Sheriff John Lakin, are again co-sponsoring a prescription drug collection site in the parking lot on 2nd Street behind County Administration Building, 157 N. Main St. in Edwardsville.
As part of the county’s ongoing participation in the “Lock Your Meds” public outreach campaign, there will be free prescription lock bags to the first 25 individuals who bring their medications to the County Administration Building site.
In 10 previous Take-Back Events (2010-2015) more than 5.5 million pounds of pills (2,750 tons) have been collected nationwide. Many local police departments in Madison County, including the Sheriff’s Department and Highland Police Department, have permanent drop-off sites available for residents.
“The Highland Police Department has a receptacle to turn in old meds. Our citizens can and do turn in unwanted meds throughout the year,” said Highland Police Chief Terry Bell.
Rx Take Back Locations
▪ Highland Police Department, 820 Mulberry St.
▪ Troy Police Department, 116 E. Market St.
▪ SIUE Police Department, 99 Supporting Services Road
▪ Madison County Sheriff’s Department, 405 Randle St., Edwardsville
▪ Maryville Police Department, 2500 N. Center St.
This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 2:43 AM with the headline "Turn in old prescription drugs, no questions asked on Saturday."