The California Police Department's annual drug take back day is coming up this weekend.
The CPD and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide the public with the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Pills can be brought to the CPD office at 500 S. Oak St. for disposal.
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Collection sites such as the CPD office cannot accept liquids, needles or sharp objects, only pills or patches. Collection sites will follow local coronavirus guidelines and regulations. California does not currently have any ordinances pertaining to COVID-19 regulations, but the Moniteau County Health Center has continuously advised following the recommendations of public health entities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The October event is the DEA's 19th nationwide event since it's inception 10 years ago. Last year's event on Oct. 26, 2019 resulted in 105 pounds being collected in California. Americans turned in nearly 883,000 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly 6,300 DEA-operated sites and almost 5,000 state and local law enforcement partners last fall.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 24 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.