National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday

The following is a press release from Eastern Idaho Public Health.

IDAHO FALLS – On October 26, the Drug Enforcement Administration and its state and local partners will host the 27th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The DEA launched the initiative in 2010 to provide easy and anonymous ways to remove medications from the home that are highly vulnerable to misuse and theft. Locally: Eastern Idaho Public Health, Bonneville County Sheriff's Office, Idaho Falls Police Department, Idaho State Police, Madison County Sheriff's Office, Rexburg Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Rigby Police Department, St. Anthony Police Department, Clark County Sheriff's Office , The Center for Hope, Community Family Clinic and Eastern Idaho Medical Reserves Corps will host seven Eastern Idaho Take Back Day collection point events on Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Dubois location:

• Clark County Sheriff's Office: 224 W. Main St.

Idaho Falls Location:

• College of Eastern Idaho: 1600 S. 25th E. Building 5 parking lot

Rigby Locations:

• Rigby Police Department 173 E. Main St. Suite 1
• Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, 210 Courthouse Way (*Press the doorbell in the lobby and ask dispatchers to call you in to use the permanent medication drop box.)

Rexburg locations:

• Wal-Mart parking lot: 1450 North 2nd, Rexburg
• Madison County DMV: 510 North 2nd East, Rexburg

St Anthony Location:

• St. Anthony Police Department: 420 N. Bridge St. Suite B

These events allow community members to safely dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescriptions and help prevent drug abuse in our state. All prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter and veterinary medications, are accepted. The Take Back Day collection points also accept e-cigarette pens, cartridges or other e-cigarette devices (without batteries in the device).

Needles will not be accepted.

Nationwide, over 14 million Americans abused prescription psychotherapeutic drugs in 2022, with abuse peaking among young adults ages 18 to 25. Unfortunately, Idaho is not immune to this problem.

In 2022, an estimated 40,000 Idahoans ages 12 and older misused prescription painkillers.2 Results from the 2021 Idaho Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that nearly 14% of 9th through 12th grade students in Idaho reported one or more times of abusing one prescription drug in the year of her life.

While the majority of teens did not report abusing prescription medications, of those who did, over 40% took them or received them from a family member or friend, and nearly 75% misused the medications at home.

When unused prescriptions are left in the medicine cabinet, thrown away, or washed away, they can be dangerous to people, animals, and the environment. Help keep our community safe and healthy by donating your old medications.

If you miss your local take-back day and need to dispose of prescription medications, visit an Eastern Idaho health department to pick up a free drug deactivation kit or search for a year-round drop-off location online at www.odp.idaho.gov/. Prescription Drug Take-Back Program.