National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set Oct. 28

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - Do you have unused or expired prescription medications?

On Saturday, Oct. 28, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and its state and local partners will hold the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The DEA began the initiative in 2010 to provide easy, anonymous opportunities to remove medicines in the home that are highly susceptible to misuse and theft. The Idaho Office of Drug Policy, Southeastern Idaho Public Health, The Center for Hope South Peer Recovery Center, Pocatello Police Department and Chubbuck Police Department will be hosting local Take Back Day collection site events on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participating Locations:

• Pocatello Police Department at 911 N 7th Ave, Pocatello, Idaho 83201
• Chubbuck Police Department at 5160 Yellowstone Ave, Chubbuck, Idaho 83202
• College of Eastern Idaho: 1600 S 25th E, Idaho Falls, ID 83404.

Eastern Idaho Public Health, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Falls Police Department, Bonneville Youth Development Council, the Center for HOPE, College of Eastern Idaho and the Idaho Office of Drug Policy are hosting a Take Back Day collection site event in Idaho Falls from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The event will allow community members to safely dispose of unused or expired prescriptions and help prevent drug misuse in our state. All non-liquid prescription drugs will be accepted, as well as over-the-counter medications and veterinary medications. Additionally, the Take Back Day collection sites will also accept vape pens, cartridges, or other e-cigarette devices (without the batteries in the device). Intra-venous solutions, injectables, inhalers, syringes and chemotherapy medications will not be accepted. Needles will not be accepted.

When left in a medicine cabinet, thrown away or flushed, unused prescriptions can be dangerous to people, animals, or the environment. Help keep our community safe and healthy by dropping off your old medications.

If you miss the Oct. 28 Take Back Day and need to dispose of prescription medications, there are several prescription drug take back locations throughout southeastern Idaho. For a list of drop off locations, click HERE.