Drug Take Back Day to be held Saturday, Oct. 28

On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Nevada Police Department in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your prescription drugs for disposal to the Nevada Police Department at 120 S. Ash St., inNevada. Police personnel and volunteers will be stationed in the lobby for a convenient drive up and drop off option. Prescription drugs can also be dropped off at the permanent drop box in the lobby of the Nevada Police Department during regular business hours. These services are free and anonymous, no questions asked.

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. 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. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 28 Take Back Day event, contact Lieutenant Williamson at the Nevada Police Department at (417) 448-5100.