Lakewood Police Department Hosts National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Site at CBS Colorado

The Lakewood Police Department is gearing up to host a site for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at CBS Colorado. This event provides individuals with the opportunity to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription medications, helping to prevent drug abuse and environmental pollution.

What is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day?

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a biannual event organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with the goal of providing a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. The event encourages individuals to clean out their medicine cabinets and properly dispose of unused or expired medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

The DEA partners with local law enforcement agencies, pharmacies, and other community organizations to host collection sites where individuals can drop off their unwanted medications. These collection sites ensure that the medications are disposed of properly, preventing them from falling into the wrong hands or contaminating the environment.

The Importance of Proper Medication Disposal

Proper disposal of prescription medications is critical for several reasons. First and foremost, it helps to prevent drug abuse and addiction. Many individuals who misuse prescription drugs obtain them from the medicine cabinets of family and friends. By properly disposing of unused medications, individuals can help reduce the availability of these drugs for potential misuse.

Additionally, improper disposal of medications can have harmful environmental effects. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can lead to contamination of water sources and soil. This can pose risks to humans, wildlife, and the environment as a whole. By participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, individuals can ensure that their unused medications are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic has been a major public health crisis in the United States, with prescription opioid misuse and overdose deaths reaching alarming levels. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 47,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2018, with prescription opioids contributing to a significant portion of these deaths.

Efforts to combat the opioid epidemic have included initiatives to reduce the availability of unused prescription medications. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day plays a key role in this effort by providing a safe and accessible way for individuals to dispose of their unused medications. By participating in the event, individuals can help prevent these medications from being diverted for illicit use, ultimately contributing to the reduction of opioid misuse and overdose deaths.

Lakewood Police Department's Role in Hosting the Event

The Lakewood Police Department is taking an active role in addressing the issue of prescription drug misuse and abuse by hosting a site for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at CBS Colorado. By providing a convenient drop-off location for individuals in the community, the department is making it easier for residents to safely dispose of their unused or expired medications.

Through their partnership with the DEA and other community organizations, the Lakewood Police Department is helping to raise awareness about the importance of proper medication disposal. By encouraging individuals to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the department is contributing to efforts to reduce drug abuse, promote public safety, and protect the environment.

How to Participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

To participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, individuals can visit the collection site hosted by the Lakewood Police Department at CBS Colorado. The event will provide a convenient drop-off location where individuals can anonymously dispose of their unwanted medications. The collection site will be staffed by law enforcement personnel who will ensure that the medications are securely collected and properly disposed of.

Participants are encouraged to bring any unused or expired prescription medications, including pills, liquids, and patches. The event will also accept over-the-counter medications. However, illegal drugs, needles, and sharps will not be accepted at the collection site.

Safety Precautions for Medication Drop-Off

When participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, individuals should take certain safety precautions when preparing their medications for drop-off:

Remove Personal Information: Before bringing medications to the drop-off site, individuals should remove any personal information from the medication packaging, such as prescription labels or packaging with their name and address.
Keep Medications in Original Containers: Whenever possible, participants should keep medications in their original containers to help with identification and sorting at the collection site.
Transport Medications Safely: When transporting medications to the drop-off site, individuals should store them securely to prevent spilling or exposure. This can be done by placing medications in a sealable plastic bag or container.
Follow Staff Instructions: When arriving at the collection site, individuals should follow the instructions of the staff members on hand. They will provide guidance on where to drop off the medications and any other relevant information.

By following these safety precautions, individuals can ensure that their participation in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is both effective and safe.

The Environmental Impact of Proper Medication Disposal

In addition to addressing public health and safety concerns, proper medication disposal also has important environmental implications. Many medications contain active ingredients that can have long-term impacts on ecosystems if they are not disposed of properly.

When medications are flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink, they can enter the water supply, potentially affecting aquatic life and contaminating drinking water sources. If medications are thrown in the trash and end up in landfills, they can leach into the soil and groundwater, posing risks to plants, animals, and humans.

By participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, individuals can help prevent these environmental impacts by ensuring that their unused medications are collected and disposed of in a responsible manner. By doing so, they are contributing to the protection of the environment and the preservation of natural resources.

How CBS Colorado Supports National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

CBS Colorado is proud to support the efforts of the Lakewood Police Department in hosting a site for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. By providing a location for the event, CBS Colorado is playing a crucial role in promoting public health and safety within the community.

Community Outreach and Public Awareness

In addition to providing a collection site, CBS Colorado is also participating in community outreach and public awareness efforts leading up to the event. Through its media platforms and partnerships, CBS Colorado is helping to spread the word about the importance of proper medication disposal and the impact of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

By raising awareness and encouraging community participation, CBS Colorado is contributing to the success of the event and the broader goal of promoting responsible medication disposal practices.

Conclusion

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day hosted by the Lakewood Police Department at CBS Colorado represents a significant opportunity for individuals to take proactive steps in addressing public health, safety, and environmental concerns related to medication disposal. By participating in the event, individuals can play a part in preventing prescription drug abuse, reducing the availability of unused medications for potential misuse, and protecting the environment from the harmful effects of improper medication disposal.

The partnership between the DEA, the Lakewood Police Department, and CBS Colorado illustrates the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, media, and community organizations in addressing these critical issues. Through their combined efforts, they are working to raise awareness, educate the public, and provide a safe and convenient means for individuals to responsibly dispose of their unused or expired medications.

As National Prescription Drug Take Back Day approaches, individuals are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the event, contributing to the overall well-being of their community and the environment. By doing so, they can make a meaningful impact in the fight against prescription drug misuse, abuse, and environmental pollution.