Officials hoping to prevent drug abuse in eastern Idaho with annual event Saturday
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IDAHO FALLS – If you have old, expired medication in your medicine cabinet, organizations throughout eastern Idaho want to help you get rid of them.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is partnering with the Idaho Office of Drug Policy, Center for HOPE, Eastern Idaho Public Health, the Bonneville Youth Development Coalition, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Falls Police Department and St. Anthony Police Department for the 11th annual Drug Take-Back Day.
The event will allow community members to safely and securely dispose of any unused or expired prescriptions and help prevent drug misuse in Idaho. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., you can drop off unwanted medication at the College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls or Broulim’s at 301 Aspen Square Street in St. Anthony.
“Individuals will be able to simply drive through and drop off their medications. All prescription drugs will be accepted, as well as over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and veterinary medications,” a news release about the event says. “Collection sites will also accept vape pens, cartridges, or other e-cigarette devices (without the batteries in the device).”
Needles will not be accepted.
Eastern Idaho Public Health will be providing educational materials on drug deactivation pouches and Narcan, a drug used to counter the effect of opioid overdoses.
Idaho Falls Police Department spokeswoman Jessica Clements tells EastIdahoNews.com doughnuts will also be available at CEI for those who participate.
“We were excited to be asked by the Bonneville Youth Development Council to partner with them and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office for this event. We think it will be a fun opportunity to talk to some members of our community and also get some prescription drugs and other medications disposed of appropriately,” Clements says.
The event is happening in conjunction with National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The DEA began the initiative in 2010 to provide easy, anonymous opportunities to remove medicines from homes that are highly susceptible to misuse, abuse, and theft.
“When left in a medicine cabinet, thrown away or flushed, unused prescriptions can be dangerous to people, animals, and the environment. Help keep our community safe and healthy by dropping off your old medication,” the news release says.
All COVID-19 safety measures will be in place. Clements says those unable to drop off medications during those times can drop them off in the lobby of the Law Enforcement building at 605 North Capital between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Year-round drop-off locations in your community can be found online here.