PRESS RELEASE:
In an effort to combat prescription drug abuse, the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, Northland Coalition and Walgreen’s are sponsoring two Prescription Take Back events Saturday.
At these events, residents can clean out their medicine cabinets and bring in old and unwanted prescription drugs for safe disposal. The Prescription Take Backs will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 12, at the following Kansas City Walgreen’s locations:
* 401 NE Barry Road
* 2630 NE Vivion Road
In this statewide event, substance abuse prevention professionals are joining forces with 17 Walgreen’s stores across Missouri. Kansas City Police will be on hand to collect the pills, liquids, or other controlled substances in a safe, legal manner.
Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem in many Missouri communities. A 2009 nationwide study among American teenagers revealed the following:
• 1 in 7 teens, or 15%, reported abusing a prescription pain reliever in the last year
• 63% of teens believe prescription drugs are easy to get from their parent’s medicine cabinet. That number is up from 56% of teens in 2008.
Since November 2009, officials at similar Prescription Take Back Day events have collected nearly 150,000 pills from Missouri residents. Kansas City Police alone helped collect 1,705 bottles and packages of pills last November.
WHAT TO BRING:
-Identification – you must be at least 18 years of age and reside at the address listed on the medications. You may bring medication from anyone living within your household.
-Bring medications in their original packaging from the pharmacy. (Those not in original packaging will take longer to process and inspect.)
-Any medication from a licensed pharmacist will be accepted (controlled substances, liquids containing medications, prescription inhalers and medicated ointments or patches.)
WHAT NOT TO BRING – WON’T BE ACCEPTED:
-Do not bring medication from anyone not residing in your home
-Do not bring illicit drugs (e.g. cocaine, marijuana, etc.) KCPD asks that anyone finding illicit drugs call 911 and ask for an officer to respond to the location.
-Not accepted: sharp objects, including needles, radioactive medicines, bio-hazardous materials or glass thermometers or other medical devices.
-No medications from businesses such as pharmacies and/or doctors’ offices will be accepted. Only medications from individuals can be accepted.
