Prescription Drug Take Back Day Sept. 29 in Johnston

On Saturday, September 29th from 10:00am-2:00pm the Johnston Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. To take advantage of this opportunity all you have to do is bring the medications that you wish to dispose of to the Johnston City Hall located at 6221 Merle Hay Road and drop them off, no questions asked. The service is free and anonymous.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that 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. An increasing amount of states are now reporting deaths from prescription drug abuse have outpaced deaths associated with motor vehicle accidents. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans typical method for disposing of unused medicines is to flush them down the toilet or throw them away in the trash; however, this approach poses many potential health and safety hazards.

Last April, Iowans turned in 5,365 pounds of prescription drugs at 103 statewide “Take Back” disposal sites, including 65 pounds of medications that were turned in at the Johnston site.

Due to the apparent need and its overwhelming success, the Johnston Police Department will continue to team up with the DEA to hold prescription drug “Take Back” events every few months.