The Juneau Police Department will host a prescription drug drop-off on Oct. 23 as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Juneau Police Department announced.
The Take Back Day events are intended to combat drug addiction and overdoses from misuse of prescription drugs, according to police.
The last take-back day, held in April, collected nearly 100 pounds of unwanted or unused prescription medicine, during that same time, the drop-off box in the JPD lobby collected nearly 300 pounds, according to police. The DEA collected nearly 420 tons of medications nationwide last event.
“We can all do our part to fight drug abuse on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by safely disposing of our unused and unwanted prescription drugs,” said Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor in a news release. “My office is proud to join with the Juneau Police Department and other law enforcement agencies across the country in this important initiative to keep Alaska families safe, and I encourage Alaskans to throw away unneeded prescription medication at local Take Back events.”
Accepted will be tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Vaping devices with the batteries removed will also be accepted, according to police. Liquids, syringes and other needles, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
