City of Ankeny issued the following announcement on October 13.
The Ankeny Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration want to help make homes safe by destroying all expired or unused prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Ankeny police officers will be at the Ankeny Police Department, 411 SW Ordnance Rd., Saturday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to take possession of any expired or unused prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.
Over the last year the DEA collected a record-high amount of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription medications, with the public turning in close to 500 tons of unwanted drugs. Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs. With studies indicating a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, clearing out unused medicine is essential.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period. The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the pandemic.
The Ankeny Police Department will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop off locations provided lithium batteries are removed.
Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way the DEA and Ankeny Police Department are working together to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Take Back Day event on Oct. 23, contact Sgt. Corey Schneden with the Ankeny Police Department, 515-289-5257, cschneden@ankenyiowa.gov or visit the www.DEATakeBack.com.
Original source can be found here.
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