Drug Roundup set to collect prescription drugs, liquids and pet medications

Six locations coordinating as part of DEA’s National Take Back Day asking people to turn in unused or expired medication for safe disposal

The semi-annual Drug Roundup event slated for October 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., has the Washoe County Health District and several other local public safety and human services agencies partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to give everyone the opportunity to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Participants can bring prescription pills, liquids, and pet medications anonymously and free of charge to the following locations:

• Raleys - 18144 Wedge Parkway, Reno
• SaveMart - 4995 Kietzke Lane, Reno
• Smith’s - 175 Lemmon Drive, Reno
• Walgreens - 10370 N. McCarran Blvd., Reno
• CVS - 680 N. McCarran Blvd., Sparks
• CVS - 5151 Sparks Blvd., Sparks

The drug roundups address troubling public safety and health issues highlighted recently in Nevada with several high-profile arrests for illegal prescription drug distribution. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are also highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. According to the DEA, 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 majority 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 — pose both safety and health hazards.

According to local officials and the DEA, last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 11 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 6.4 million pounds—about 3,200 tons—of pills.

The October 22 event provides a convenient opportunity to safely dispose of unneeded medications and prevent prescription drug misuse.  Residents are encouraged to participate in the Round-Up to protect their family members, and the community, from the potential harm of prescription drug abuse. 

For more information about Washoe County’s October 22 Drug Roundup and DEA’s National Take Back Day go to http://www.jtnn.org/rxroundup/.