Nearly 500 lbs of medication collected in drug take-back

Hundreds of pills were collected this weekend during the prescription drug take-back event sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

A total of 499 pounds of unwanted or old medications were gathered from eight different collection sites in Boone County over the course of two days.

Police had collection locations in Columbia, Ashland, Centralia, Sturgeon and Hallsville Friday and Saturday.

Last April, Americans turned in more than 390 tons of prescription drugs.

The sheriff’s department said the program helps prevent medications from falling into the wrong hands where they may be abused. The proper disposal also helps protect the environment.

Sgt. Harlan Hatton said the program may be coming to an end.

Sgt. Harlan Hatton, Boone County Sheriff’s Department: “The regulations that are imposed by the DEA doesn’t allow dispensaries like pharmacies and hospitals to take the drugs back. So some of that law has changed recently. And they’re now allowing those places to take those in.”

Hatton said if you missed this weekend’s event, you can drop off medications in the take-back box inside the Columbia Police Department during normal business hours.