The Fall Drug Enforcement Administration National Prescription Take-Back Day is tomorrow (Oct. 29, 2022).
Collection sites in Pierre are at the Police Department, Walgreens Pharmacy, Lynn’s Dakotamart Pharmacy and the Avera St. Mary’s campus pharmacy.
South Dakota’s Spring National Take-Back Day in April (April 30, 2022) collected 1,168 pounds of medication for destruction through participating law enforcement locations. That’s in addition to the 1,166 pounds collected through the take-back receptacles in retail pharmacies in April.
For those who cannot make it to a take-back site, DisposeRx packets are available for free from DSS and can be mailed directly to you. DisposeRx packets contain an FDA-approved ingredient that, when mixed with water, chemically and physically neutralizes the medication so it can be safely thrown away at home. The packets work with pills, tablets, capsules, liquids, and powders.
Find links to more information in this story on the News page at www.DRGNews.com.
To find the closest take-back locations to you, visit https://www.avoidopioidsd.com/take-action/safe-medication-disposal/.
The South Dakota Department of Social Services is also offering free medication lock boxes to help safely store medications.
According to the 2019-2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among the 9.5 million people that misused opioids in the past year, 9.3 were misusing prescription pain relievers. With the increasing danger of fake pills and fentanyl laced pills, keeping any pills off the street, and off the illegal market, takes on added importance. If you come across pills or medication in a public place like a park or parking lot, do not touch them or pick them up. Call law enforcement and they will safely dispose of the item(s).
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