On Saturday, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department will be partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other law enforcement agencies across the United States in the seventh drug take-back event in three years. Hoosiers can dispose of any expired or unwanted drugs by simply taking those drugs to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department parking lot between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and dropping them in the designated receptacle, no questions asked. There will also be a drop-off site located at the Indiana Government Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. It should be noted the drug take-back is for pills, capsules and liquids only. No sharps will be accepted. Last April, Americans turned in 371 tons of prescription drugs at over 5,829 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners across the U.S. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines tthat languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a mjority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards. For those who wish to participate but live outside of Kosciusko County, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/ to determine your nearest drop-off location.
