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Daily Drug Take-Back Service Now Available, Next Nationwide Drug Take-Back Day Event Scheduled

Posted on: Mar-14-2014

On April 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., local law enforcement and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to properly dispose of unused, unneeded, and/or expired prescription medications.

New this year: Fort Collins Police have received authorization from the Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE) to participate in a daily drug take-back program with CDPHE providing a secure bin for the collection of prescription/over-the-counter drugs. This system complements the Nationwide Drug Take-Back event allowing residents to dispose of their drugs more conveniently. Residents may drop off unused or expired over-the-counter and prescriptions medications in the Fort Collins Police Services lobby, 2221 S. Timberline Rd., 8 a.m.- 10 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The same restrictions on eligible items apply (see below).

Area drop off locations for one day the Nationwide Drug Take-Back event will be held at the following sites April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous.

•Fort Collins:
Fort Collins Police Services, 2221 S. Timberline Rd.
Colorado State University, Green Hall, 750 S. Meridian Ave.

•Loveland:
Loveland Police Department, 810 E. 10th St.

•Wellington:
Wellington Fire Station #1, 8130 3rd St.

•Windsor:
200 N. 11th

•Red Feather:
Fire Station at 44 Firehouse Lane

Last October, over 647,211 pounds—324 tons—of prescription drugs were collected at sites operated by the DEA and their state and local law enforcement partners. When added to the collections from previous Take-Back events, more than 3.4 million pounds (1,733 tons) of prescription medications were removed from circulation.

Information on environmentally sound medication disposable methods that minimize opportunities for misuse and protect the environment will be present at the Fort Collins collection site. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can cause pollution of lakes, streams and water supplies and pose potential safety and health hazards.

The Prescription Drug Take-Back program addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many people are not aware that medicines that languish in 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 that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes, mercury (thermometers), oxygen containers, chemotherapy/radioactive substances, pressurized canisters and illicit drugs will not be accepted due to potential health hazards. Law enforcement officers will be present with the drug disposal box at all times. At the conclusion of the event, the boxes will be sealed and turned over to the DEA for proper disposal. All drugs will be incinerated according to federal and state environmental guidelines.

For additional information contact Fort Collins Police Services at 970-221-6540.




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