On Saturday September 26, 2015, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office will be partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. The Sheriff’s Office will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at three different locations throughout Linn County from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a free, anonymous service that will help keep your home safe and could even save lives.
The three collection sites hosted by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office are:
*Center Point City Hall, 200 Franklin St., Center Point
*Linn County Sheriff’s Office (West Parking Lot), 310 2nd Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids
*Springville Fire Department, 300 Broadway St., Springville
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
In the previous nine Take-Back events nationwide from 2010-2014, 4,823,251 pounds, or 2,411 tons of drugs were collected.
Strengthen your community and make your home safer by participating in this national initiative.
If you are unable to attend the event Saturday, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office (located at 310 2nd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids) has a permanent drug drop box in place that allows the public to safely and anonymously discard expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs and medications of any kind 24 hours a day. The mailbox-sized drop box is permanently mounted in the Sheriff’s Office visitor’s parking lot off of the 2nd Avenue entrance, near the handicap access ramp. Any and all types of unwanted medications and drugs, including illegal drugs, may be placed in the container. However, for the safety of all involved, it is asked that no needles or sharps be dropped in the box. The drop box is emptied on a daily basis.