The Waukee Police Department collected 44 pounds of drugs during the national Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 28. The four-hour event was held at the Waukee Public Safety Building. Residents dropped off bottles, pill boxes and bags of expired or unwanted medication and related items that will now be properly destroyed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This service was offered free of charge.
“We are thrilled that so many Waukee residents are taking the initiative to safely dispose of these substances,” said Sgt. Mackenzie Sposeto. “Last year we collected 20 pounds during the fall drop-off. It’s great to see that we doubled that number this fall.”
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 at the Waukee Public Safety Building Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round.
Between the fall and spring take-back days as well as the permanent drug dropbox, the department has collected a total of 107 pounds of prescription medications this year, taking them out of the hands of those who might abuse them or ingest them accidentally.
Thank you to all who participated in these efforts.