Drug Take Back April 24

BROKEN BOW - According to Broken Bow Polic Chief Steve Scott, the Broken Bow Police Department will once again participate in the Drug Take Back program through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Saturday, April 24.

According to the DEA, opioid overdose deaths have increased during the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert in December indicating a significant increase in overdose deaths from May of 2019 through May of 2020. During that period of time there were 81,230 deaths from drug overdoses which is an 18 percent increase over the previous year.

More people die each year from drug overdose than from traffic accidents or firearms. Synthetic opioids, such as illicit fentanyl, are the primary reason for increases in overdose deaths.

Since the Drug Take Back program was established in 2010, the DEA has held 19 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events which have removed 13,684,848 pounds (more than 6,842 tons) of medications from circulation in the United States.

Prescription medications often end up in the wrong hands, including children. On April 24, you may bring to the police department your unneeded tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription medication.

Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps and illegal drugs will not be accepted.

Vaping devices and cartridges will also be accepted as long as the lithium batteries are removed.

This service is free and anonymous, no questions will be asked.

Please bring your old (or no longer used) prescriptions to the Broken Bow Police Department at 116 South 11th Avenue in Broken Bow between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24.

If you have questions please call 308-872-6424.