Law enforcement taking part in drug take-back event

Yuma area officers participating in prescription drop-off Saturday

The Yuma Police Department and the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office is giving the public another opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Both of the agencies, along with the San Luis Police Department, the Cocopah Police Department, East Reservation, and the Wellton Police Department are participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) 15th annual National Prescription Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Medications for disposal can be dropped off at either the YCSO Foothills Substation, which is located at 13190 E. South Frontage Road, or the Yuma Police Department, 1500 S. 1st Avenue.

The San Luis Police Department, located at 1030 Union St., the Cocopah Police Department, East Reservation, and the Wellton Police Department, 28618 Oakland Ave, will also have drop-off collection bins set up in their lobbies as well.

This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or anything sharp; only pills or patches.

There will be more than 5,600 collection sites, manned by 4,500 partner law enforcement agencies taking part in this weekend’s event.

Last October, more than 4,300 federal, state and local law enforcement partners took in more than 456 tons (over 912,000 pounds) of unused, expired or unwanted prescription drugs at approximately 5,300 collection sites across the United States.

Overall, in its 14 previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in over 9 million pounds — more than 4,500 tons — of used prescription drugs.

The DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that flushing these drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash posed potential safety and health hazards.

“If you had a chance to save someone you loved, would you do it? Do it this Saturday. It’s Free, Anonymous, and Fast. Dispose of your unused, unwanted, expired medications. Your action can prevent drug use, experimentation and harm to those you care about most,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers.

The purpose of this event is to address a vital public safety and public health issue. The 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.

If you miss this event, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office Main Office and Foothills Substation serve as full-time drop-off locations. For more information regarding the YCSO Prescription Drug Take-Back Program, please visit http://yumacountysheriff.org/services-drug_disposal.html.