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Sedgwick County To Accept Medication As Part Of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Michael Chen, flickr Creative Commons

The Sedgwick County Sheriff's office is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other law enforcement agencies for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday, Oct. 22.

Personnel from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office will staff three drop-off locations, including the Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd.; the Household Hazardous Waste Center, 801 W. Stillwell; and the Oaklawn Activity Center, 4904 S. Clifton.

The initiative includes any expired or leftover prescriptions or over-the-counter medications.

According to the DEA, a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and environmental hazards.

During a prescription drug take-back day earlier this year, the DEA collected nearly 14,000 pounds of medication in Kansas alone, including opioids and other controlled drugs. The same drive saw the most prescription drugs collected nationwide in the history of the event.

Syringes and other injectables cannot be accepted.

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Follow Abigail Beckman on Twitter @AbigailKMUW.

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