City Of Columbia Police Department: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day – Fall 2021

Press release from the City of Columbia Police Department:

October 20, 2021

CPD is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in an effort to provide safe venues for citizens to properly dispose of unwanted and unused prescription medicines.

CPD and the DEA CANNOT accept liquids, needles, patches, syringes, inhalers or mercury thermometers. 

You can safely drop off your medications at Columbia Police Headquarters | #1 Justice Square (803) 545-3500 at any time during the year. 

CPD is participating in the upcoming event as part of the long-standing initiative with the DEA.

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019.

Studies show that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. A majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained by family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets.

This press release was produced by the City of Columbia Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.