Agencies around the state are partnering with officials from the Drug Enforcement Agency and the 525 Foundation to take part in the 19th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative on Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.
This initiative aims at preventing prescription drug abuse and theft by allowing members of the public to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs in a safe manner.
Liquid and pill medications will be accepted. Needles of any kind will not be accepted. The Indiana State Police posts will collect vaping pens without batteries, and vaping cartridges.
The drop off points will include all Indiana State Police posts with the exception of the Toll Road post, Hamlet Fire Department on Indiana Street in Hamlet, Koontz Lake Fire Department on State Road 23 in Koontz Lake, San Pierre Fire Department on Fisher Street in San Pierre, the Walgreens store on Michigan Street in Plymouth, and Michiana Behavioral Health on Oak Drive in Plymouth. Officers will be on hand to assist with taking the items at those locations with no questions asked.
According to the Indiana State Police, medicines left in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are high. The number of accidental poisonings and overdoses is also too high. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family members and friends from home medicine cabinets.
Disposal of unused medicines, including flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, pose both potential safety and health hazards.
This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.
