The Waukee Police Department collected 109 pounds of expired or unwanted prescription drugs during the national Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 26. The four-hour event was held at the Waukee Public Safety Building. Residents dropped off unwanted pills and patches that will now be properly destroyed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This service was offered free of charge.
America is presently experiencing an epidemic of addiction, overdose and death due to abuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers. Events like this one aim to reduce access to addictive medications.
A permanent drug drop-box is also located in the Waukee Public Safety Building. It is available to the public to drop off Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round. The PD unloaded 157 pounds of drugs from the drop-box on Saturday as well, bringing the total fall haul to 266 pounds of prescription medications which will now be destroyed.
Thank you to all who participated in these efforts.