Protect Our Community: Drug Take Back Day Set for This Saturday

This Saturday marks an important event in the ongoing fight against drug abuse—National Drug Take Back Day. Twice a year, in spring and fall, communities across the country participate in this initiative, which is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The goal is simple: to safely dispose of unused or expired medications and prevent them from being misused.

Locally, the Sheriff’s Office will be partnering with Valley Health at the Valley Health Complex at 120 North Commerce Avenue. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents can drive through and drop off their old prescriptions, no questions asked. This effort prevents dangerous substances from falling into the wrong hands or polluting local water systems.

Lieutenant Terry Fritts of the Sheriff’s Office emphasized how crucial this service is in preventing accidental overdoses or misuse. “We don’t want these medications lying around where someone can accidentally ingest them, but we also don’t want people flushing them down the toilet, which can harm our water supply,” said Fritts. The Sheriff’s Office takes care of the collected medications by transporting them to the DEA’s collection site for safe disposal.

Typically, the local take-back event collects between 80 to 100 pounds of old medications each time it’s held. “That’s a lot of pills that could have ended up being abused or contaminating our environment,” Fritts added.

The process is simple: residents can stay in their vehicles, hand over their medications, and continue. The Sheriff’s Office asks people not to bring sharps, liquids, or aerosols, as these items require special disposal methods. These precautions ensure the safety of the officers collecting the medications and the environment.

For those who can’t attend the event, the Sheriff’s Office also offers Deterra drug neutralizing bags, which allow individuals to safely dispose of their medications at home. The bags contain a chemical that neutralizes the active ingredients in pills, making them safe to throw in the trash. These bags are available in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office and at various locations throughout the community.

Lieutenant Fritts reminded everyone of the risks posed by keeping old medications. “Holding onto expired prescriptions can be dangerous, not just because of accidental use, but because they may no longer be effective or safe.”

National Drug Take Back Day is not just about cleaning out medicine cabinets—it’s about protecting the community. Drug abuse often starts with the misuse of prescription medications, and by safely disposing of these drugs, the community can take an important step in reducing that risk.

On Saturday, October 26th, please stop by the Valley Health Complex and do your part to help keep our town safe and healthy. Rain or shine, the Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to collect your unused medications and ensure their proper disposal.