National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for Oct. 28
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IDAHO FALLS — The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its state and local partners will hold the 25th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 28, according to a news release from the agency.
“The DEA began the initiative in 2010 to provide easy, anonymous opportunities to remove medicines in the home that are highly susceptible to misuse, abuse and theft,” the agency stated in the news release.
Eastern Idaho Public Health, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Falls Police Department, Bonneville Youth Development Council, the Center for HOPE, College of Eastern Idaho and the Idaho Office of Drug Policy are all participating in a collection event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls, the DEA said.
“The event will allow community members to safely and securely dispose of any unused, unwanted or expired prescriptions and help prevent drug misuse in our state. All prescription drugs will be accepted, as well as over-the-counter and veterinary medications,” the news release stated.
They will also accept vape pens, cartridges or other e-cigarette devices (without the batteries in the device). However, needles won’t be accepted.
Eastern Idaho Public Health will be providing education on opioids and naloxone, as well as safe storage and disposal of prescription medications. Also, EIPH will be handing out free medication lock boxes and Deterra drug deactivation pouches.
Nationally, over 14 million Americans misused prescription psychotherapeutic drugs in 2021, with misuse highest among young adults ages 18 to 25, according to the news release.
“Unfortunately, Idaho is not immune to this issue. In 2021, an estimated 40,000 Idahoans aged 12 and older misused prescription pain relievers. Results from the 2021 Idaho Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that nearly 14 percent of Idaho 9th through 12th graders reported they had misused a prescription drug at least once,” the DEA said.
While a majority of youth did not report misusing prescription drugs, of those who did, over 40 percent said they took or received the drugs from a family member or friend, and nearly 75 percent misused the medication in their own home.
When left in a medicine cabinet, thrown away or flushed, unused prescriptions can be dangerous to people, animals and the environment. The best way to dispose of them is to drop them off on Drug Take Back Day.
Organizers said Sam’s Club has generously donated donuts for the event, “So come by, drop off unused and/or expired medications and pick up some free resources and a donut.”
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