The (HPD) has joined forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration in an effort to prevent pill abuse and theft.
On Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., HPD host its second Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
There will be two drop-off locations:
Find out what's happening in Hazelwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- , 415 Elm Grove Lane
- , 5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd., in Neighborhood 3
Last September, Americans turned in more than 242,000 pounds -- 121 tons -- of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites across the country, including the ones in Hazelwood.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high -- more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined, according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends who raid the home medicine cabinet.
Find out what's happening in Hazelwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"The great response we received from the public to our first Take-Back event not only helped rid homes of potentially harmful prescription drugs, but it gave us an opportunity to educate people about this growing problem," said Sgt. Don Routh, N.A.T. Supervisor/Volunteer Coordinator, Hazelwood Police Department. "Studies have shown that, for many, prescription drugs are the very first drugs they abuse -- and all too often they aren't the last. That is why the HPD is committed to helping residents keep their homes safe by ridding their medicine cabinets of expired, unused and unwanted drugs.".
For more information regarding this Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, contact Sgt. Don Routh at 314.513.5208 or visit www.hazelwoodmo.org.