April 28 is Drug Take Back Day

Last October, Americans turned in 377,080 pounds—188.5 tons—of prescription drugs at over 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement partners. In its three previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in almost a million pounds—nearly 500 tons—of pills. 

In a press release, Lake Saint Louis Police Chief said:

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.

Lake Saint Louis Take-Back Event

On April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Lake Saint Louis Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your medications for disposal to the 200 Civic Center Drive.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Wentzville Police Department Drop Box

The Police Department has a secure collection box in the lobby of the . (It looks like a mailbox, but please don't drop your mail in it!) The box is available 24 hours a day, year around, and provides a safe and anonymous way (black out your name on the label, but please leave the name of the drug visible) for residents to dispose of unwanted prescriptions or over-the-counter medications.

Vitamins, nutritional supplements, pet medications and EpiPens are also accepted.

DO NOT use the box for any liquids, empty bottles, medical waste or needles, thermometers or personal care products.

For more information please contact the Wentzville Police Department at 636-639-2150.