Don't Be a Drug Dealer: Drop Off Unused Drugs

4/16/2021

If you have unused prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet, and you no longer need them, the Cortez Police and Montezuma County Sheriff's Department want you to consider disposing of them safely during National Take Back Day on April 24. Sponsored by TruWest Auto and Express Employment Professionals.

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Do you have leftover prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet? The Cortez Police and Montezuma County Sheriff's departments want you to dispose of them safely. You're watching the Local News Network brought to you by TruWest Auto in Cortez, and Express Employment Professionals. I'm Wendy Graham Settle. Each year millions of children and adults abuse prescription drugs prescribed for someone else. The Cortez Police and Montezuma County Sheriff's departments are asking for your help to remove the temptation by safely disposing your unused prescription drugs during the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Takeback Day on Saturday, April 24th.

Well it's a public safety issue to have those, those drugs out and about. And, you know, there's no reason to keep them in your cabinet if you no longer need them for your health, as well as to, you know, keep them out of the hands of minors and folks who otherwise, you know, shouldn't have them.

According to the DEA, nearly 10 million people misused prescription painkillers during 2019. Another 5 million misused stimulants and 6 million people misused tranquilizers and sedatives. A national drug use and health survey indicated that the majority of misused drugs were obtained from friends and family. Often from the home medicine cabinet. Don't flush unused drugs down the drain or toilet either. They pollute waterways and can be harmful to fish, wildlife and humans. Drugs may be dropped off anonymously from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 24th at Walgreens at Sligo and Main Street. Prescription and over-the-counter medications will be accepted. Illegal drugs will not. To learn more, visit takebackday.dea.gov. Thanks for watching this edition of the Local News Network serving Montezuma, Archuleta, Dolores and San Miguel counties in Southwest Colorado and San Juan County in New Mexico. I'm Wendy Graham Settle.

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