124 pounds of medicine submitted to JCPD during drug takeback event

JEFFESRON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Nearly 124 pounds of medicines were submitted to the Jefferson City Police Department during its drug takeback event that took place this past weekend, according to a Tuesday press release.

The release states its past four drug takeback events have totaled more than 800 pounds of medicine brought in.

The event is held nationwide in an effort to reduce overdoses, according to the DEA’s website.

“It is important to remember that this initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs,” Tuesday’s press release from JCPD says.