Boone County launches weekend drug take-back effort

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department is partnering with law enforcement agencies throughout the county including Ashland, Columbia, Centralia, Hallsville, University of Missouri and VA Hospital Police Departments to conduct prescription drug take back events at multiple locations.

The events on Friday and Saturday coincide with the national drug take back event sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

“This effort is undertaken to provide the community with appropriate disposal of their expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medications,” said Maj. Tom Reddin. “The benefits of the take back events include the fact that these prescription medications do not fall into the hands of our youth where they may be abused or distributed inappropriately.”

On Friday, collection sites will be open from open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:

Harry S. Truman VA Hospital – 800 Hospital Drive, Columbia, Mo. University of Mo. Student Center – 2500 MU Student Center, Columbia, Mo.

On Saturday, collection sites will be open from open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations:

Ashland Police Department – 109 E. Broadway, Ashland, Mo. Centralia Police Dept. Lobby – 114 S. Rollins, Centralia, Mo. Hallsville Police Dept. – 202 Highway 124 East, Hallsville, Mo. Hickman High School – 1104 N. Providence Rd., Columbia, Mo. (north entrance) Rock Bridge High School – 4303 S. Providence Rd., Columbia, Mo. (north entrance)

The department is asking citizens to refrain from dropping off sharp objects such as needles.

All medications collected will be turned over to the DEA for proper disposal.