Get rid of prescription drugs at take-back event this Saturday
El Paso authorities are holding a drug take-back event Saturday to help combat opioid addiction and get rid of prescription drugs that could be misused or abused.
El Pasoans can turn in their prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., Oct. 27.
The Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration by opening three locations for the drop off.
East Montana Patrol Station at 12501 Montana Ave. Clint Patrol Station at 190 San Elizario Rd. Northwest Patrol Station at 435 E. Vinton Rd, Suite D.
The DEA reminds the public that it cannot accept liquids or needles, only pills or patches.
Authorities say Americans turned in 475 tons of prescription drugs at more than 5,842
sites operated by the DEA and 4,683 state and local law enforcement partners just this past April. The take-back event addresses a public safety and health issue. Prescription drugs left unattended in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
For those living in an area where a drop off location is not available, follow these steps to throw out unwanted or unnecessary drugs:
Remove the medicine from its original container and mix it with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter. Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty bag or other container to prevent medicine from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag. Visit the DEA website or call (800) 882-9539 for more information and to find an authorized collector in your community. The site also has information about DEA’s National Take-Back Initiative.
The DEA has some additional tips for unwanted prescription drugs:
Scratch out all identifying information on the drug to make it unreadable. This will help to protect your identity and the privacy of your personal health information. — You must not share your prescription drugs – they were prescribed to you.
