Dispose of expired prescription drugs, courtesy of YPD

Get rid of drugs safely and anonymously at the National Take Back Initiative

On Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Yuma County residents are encouraged to bring expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs that may be potentially dangerous to the Yuma Police Department, 1500 S. 1st Avenue.

This initiative was formed between the YPD and the Drug

Enforcement Administration (DEA) to address a vital public health issue.

“Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse,” wrote YPD Officer Christina Fernandez. “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.”

Bringing these drugs in also mitigates the risk of children accidentally ingesting them and protects the environment from the dangerous effects that come with merely throwing them away or flushing them down the toilet.

“Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines pose potential safety and health hazards,” Fernandez wrote.

The service is completely free and anonymous. Residents should remove labels from the prescription drugs they turn in, and YPD will not ask for any contact information or forms of identification.

The department is, however, unable to accept syringes, needles or liquid products due to the hazardous conditions they create when destroyed.

Illegal drugs are also not included, but if they are brought for disposal, Fernandez said YPD will still accept them and dispose of them.

The service is drive-up, so those looking to rid their homes of potentially dangerous drugs will have a very easy experience. They need only drive to the police department, hand the drugs to an officer through the window of their car, and drive off.