SATURDAY: National Drug Take-Back Day in Puyallup

The Puyallup Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be holding National Drug Take-Back Intiative Day this Saturday, April 27.

The program gives the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by removing potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs from their homes.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bring your medications for disposal to the police department lobby at 311 West Pioneer.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last October, Americans turned in 488,395 pounds—244 tons—of prescription drugs at over 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement partners. In its four previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in more than 2 million pounds—nearly 1,018 tons—of prescription medications.

In the 6 years that the police department has had a drug disposal box in the lobby over 2,300 pounds- 292 tons- have been collected.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. 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.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

If Puyallup residents can’t make it to the event on Saturday, they can drop off expired or unwanted prescriptions drugs from their household at the PPD lobby any time, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The secure drop box in the police lobby can be accessed afterhours by pressing the button to be let inside.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Use prescription painkillers only as directed by a health care provider.

Make sure you are the only one to use your prescription painkillers. Not selling or sharing them with others helps prevent misuse and abuse.

Store prescription painkillers in a secure place and dispose of them properly.

Get help for substance abuse problems if needed (1-800-662-HELP).

See the Washington State Attorney General’s Office website for more information.