Area residents will get the chance to fight prescription drug abuse as the Riley County Police Department partners with the Drug Enforcement Administration for a drug take back event Saturday.
According to RCPD, the initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. 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. Saturday’s collection effort allows residents to turn their medications completely anonymously.
“This service is all free, it’s all anonymous no questions asked. And you can come in drop off your pills no one will say anything to you. All you have to do is give us the pills so we can properly dispose of them with the DA,” says RCPD Public Information Officer Hali Rowland.
There are some restrictions on what can and can not be accepted. Illegal substances such as marijuana or heroin will not be allowed. RCPD will for the first time accept vape pens at the take back event.
“They won’t accept the vape pens with the batteries in it, but they are accepting vape pens in cartridges as long as it has the battery removed,” Rowland said.
Rowland encourages participation in the event by all members of the community.
“This is a great program and we encourage anybody who can, to be a part of it. Go through your medicine cabinet and make sure you just collect all of those and bring them to the drug take-back day. It can help prevent the theft or misuse of those pills in the future,” Rowland said.
The event will take place from 10 A.M to 2 P.M. at the Dillon’s Westloop location and at the Manhattan Walmart.
The event is for patients and families, not companies. Again illicit substances such as marijuana or heroin are not accepted. No needles may be accepted. Inhalers or other compressed air cylinders are not accepted.
*The Riley County Household Hazardous Waste Department at 6245 Tuttle Creek Blvd will accept unwanted or unused prescription pills year-round, subject to certain restrictions: http://www.rileycountyks.gov/319/Types-of-Waste-Accepted
