Prescription Drug Take Back Event Coming, Plan Ahead
Mesa County, Colo. -- On Saturday, October 26, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Mesa County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Grand Junction Police Department, Palisade Police Department, and the Fruita Police Department will be participating in the bi-annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
This event seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. On this day, local law enforcement and the DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The locations for the upcoming Drug Take Back event, are: The Grand Junction Police Department (6th St. and Ute Ave.), Fruita Police Department (157 S. Mesa St.), Palisade Town Hall (175 E. Third St.), and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office (215 Rice St.). The flyer has more information, including a list of items which cannot be accepted.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. According to the DEA, many Americans are not aware that medicines in their home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. People often choose to flush them down the toilet or throwing them away in the trash, both of which are potential safety and health hazards.
As a reminder, the Mesa County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility will take: needles and sharps, over-the-counter medications, pressurized or aerosol and mercury containing items Thursdays through Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is free of charge to Mesa County residents. However, they are NOT able to accept controlled substances (narcotics), chemotherapy or radio-active substances or oxygen tanks. The Mesa County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility can be reached directly at (970) 257-9336 or (970) 256-9543.
Follow local tips and reminders about this event on Twitter using #DrugTakeBack and @SheriffMesaColo.
