Kansas City residents dropped off over 400 pounds of old and unwanted prescription drugs Saturday for National Drug Take-Back Day. Police said even that impressive haul was a relatively small amount; last fall, they collected 800 pounds.
With rates of opioid abuse and drug-related deaths on the rise, National Drug Take-Back Day asked residents to turn in unused prescription drugs to authorities so they could be safely destroyed. If not properly disposed of, items like prescription painkillers can find their way into the hands of people who would use them irresponsibly.
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The CDC said over 47,000 people died of prescription drug overdoses in 2014 alone, and police told 41 Action News that the easiest place for people to get these drugs is at a family member’s home.
"There's a lot of people getting hooked on prescription medication, and a lot of them do get the medications from inside of their family members’ homes," said KCPD Sgt. Saadia Wilson. "So that's why it's important that this service is provided to citizens around the United States."
If you missed Satuday’s drop-off, you can still drop your prescription drugs at the KCPD North Patrol and Shoal Creek Patrol locations. Sgt. Wilson said some pharmacies will also dispose of unwanted prescription drugs, as well as some doctors’ offices.
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Ali Hoxie can be reached at ali.hoxie@kshb.com
