Mid-Missouri law enforcement agencies to host prescription drug take back events
BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mid-Missouri law enforcement agencies will join a nationwide effort to collect expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs.
The Boone County Sheriff's Office will partner with police departments from Ashland, Columbia, Centralia, Hallsville, the University of Missouri, and Truman VA Hospital for events at several locations.
On Friday, law enforcement officers will collect medications at two locations in Boone County from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Harry S. Truman VA Hospital, 800 Hospital Dr., Columbia, Missouri
- University of Missouri, MU Student Center, 901 Rollins Rd., Columbia, Missouri
Five other collection sites are scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Ashland Police Department, 101 W. Broadway, Ashland, Missouri
- Centralia Police Department lobby, 114 S. Rollins St., Centralia, Missouri
- Hallsville Police Department, 202 Highway 124 E., Hallsville, Missouri
- Hickman High School (north entrance), 1104 N. Providence Rd., Columbia, Missouri
- Rock Bridge High School (north entrance), 4303 S. Providence Rd., Columbia, Missouri
Deputies said the events are designed to keep the medications from being abused and to protect the environment. Some medications pose a risk to water systems if flushed.
The Boonville Fire and Police Departments plan to host a take back event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Boonville Fire Department, 500 Bingham Rd., Boonville, Missouri
Anyone unable to attend the event can drop their medications off at the Police Department on East Morgan Street any time before the event.
In Jefferson City, the police department will hold a take back event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Jefferson City Police Department, 401 Monroe St., Jefferson City, Missouri
Law enforcement officers do ask anyone dropping off medications to not bring liquid medications or needs.
The events are part of the Drug Enforcement Administration's 22nd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Nearly 37,200 pounds of medications were collected in October during the last take back events, according to the DEA's St. Louis Division. That includes Missouri, Kansas, and parts of Illinois.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 106,000 people died from overdoses between Nov. 2020 to Nov. 2021. Opioid-related deaths accounted for 75% of all overdose deaths, according to the CDC.
