Don't wait for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to properly dispose of pills

Saturday, Oct. 23, was National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs.
Locally a drop box is available at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. The box is available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Last year 200 pounds of pills were collected from the drop box.
Nationally 420 tons of medications were collected this spring.
That’s 839,543 pounds of pills that didn’t find a way into abusive hands or into the environment.
The Take Back Day is sponsored twice a year by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Take Back Day happens locally every day through the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
The drop-off box, located in the lobby, is only for pills. (No liquids are accepted.)
Disposal of the prescription pills through the law enforcement office has several benefits.
First, proper disposal lessens the misuse and potential for deadly consequences from accidental poisoning, overdose or abuse.
The DEA found the majority of misuse came from prescription drugs obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Teenagers, as an age group, are more likely to misuse prescriptions designated for someone else.
Secondly, proper disposal saves our environment. More specifically, proper disposal prevents harmful ingredients from reaching and contaminating our precious groundwater, rivers and lakes.
Also, prescription drugs thrown in the garbage can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold.
Proper disposal of unused pills saves lives and protects the Earth, and prevents the active ingredients from being made into something that is harmful and is no longer considered in safe medical use.
To ready pills for disposal, empty the bottles into a clear, sealable bag and drop the bag into the drop box. The plastic prescription bottles can be thrown in the garbage; they should not be recycled. Remove the label or scratch out personal information to protect your identity.
Once a year the Rock County Sheriff’s Office transports the pills to an incinerator.
This week is designated Red Ribbon Week.
Since 1988 through the National Family Partnership, Red Ribbon Week is an annual catalyst to show intolerance for drugs in our schools, workplaces and communities. The wearing of a red ribbon shows a commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Whether you wear a red ribbon or not, please dispose of your prescription drugs safely at the law enforcement center.
And it’s free.