Safe Med Disposal Day Scheduled for This Saturday

Drug abuse is a huge problem that a continuing free program aims to reduce and eliminate.

This weekend is the next chance for you to properly and safely dispose of your expired and unused prescription drugs in Linn and Johnson counties.

Keeping these medications around your house, even you're not intending to use them yourself, can create the dangers of drug abuse if they were to get stolen. Flushingor tossing them are not appropriate options.

So, in conjunction with area law enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration will set up numerous drop-off sites between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27.

In Linn County you can take them to the Hiawatha Police Department at 101 Emmons St.; the Linn County Sheriff's Office at 310 Second Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids; Marion Police Department at 6315 Highway 1 in Marion; or Cedar Rapids Police Department, Sunner Memorial Park, 701 Valor Way SW.

The Johnson County sites include the Sherriff's office, 511 S. Capitol St.; Coralville Police Department, 1503 Fifth St; Coralville Hy-Vees, 1914 Eighth St. and 3285 Cross Park Rd.; Iowa City Police Department, East Side Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd. SE or North Liberty Police Department, 5 E. Cherry St.

Last year, this program resulted in over 1 million pounds of prescription meds being turned in nationwide, and taken out of circulation. All medications in pill or patch form will be accepted anonymously and free of charge. Liquids, needles and sharps cannot be collected.

[Via Gazette]