Dispose of Unused Prescription Drugs on Saturday

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 29, and local organizations like ParentUP KC and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office are encouraging individuals to take advantage of the program by safely disposing of old medications. Prescription and over-the-counter medications that are unused or expired will be accepted at drop-off locations.

Drug Take Back Days aim to which aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. It also provides an opportunity for citizens to keep their unused and expired medications off community streets, prevent drug addiction in our communities, and prevents overdose deaths. Medicine take back options are the best way to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription and nonprescription medicines.

Before disposing of prescription medicines, be sure to remove all personal information on pill bottle labels and medicine packaging. All the medicines dropped off at the take back locations will be destroyed. Remember never to throw away old medications in the trash or flush down sinks or toilets.

ParentUPkc.com provides a list of prescription drug drop of locations around the Northland at Parentupkc.com/drug-topics/prescription-drugs.

ParentUPkc.com states that two-thirds of teens and young adults who report misuse of prescription medicine are buying or given it from friends, family, and acquaintances. The most commonly misused prescription drugs by teens are opioids, stimulants, and central nervous system depressants.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story