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The original item was published from 9/21/2017 1:16:00 PM to 9/21/2017 1:19:48 PM.
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Posted on: September 21, 2017[ARCHIVED] Dispose of Unwanted Prescription Drugs
Julie Towne, RN Administrator | On Friday, September 29th, beginning at 9 a.m. the Hardin County Sheriff and Hardin County Public Health will give the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Hardin County Sheriff Dave McDaniel, and Public Health Administrator Julie Towne, will be traveling Hardin County picking up unwanted prescription drugs. They ask that that all prescription medicines be bagged up and ready to go on September 29th. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. This local initiative is a part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day which is held twice a year at the National level.
You may also also drop off any unwanted prescription drugs at any time, 24/7, at the drug drop box located in the lobby of the Law Enforcement Center in Eldora, Iowa.
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Last April Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills.
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Dave McDaniel, County Sheriff | 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.
For more information about the September 29th Take Back Day event or to schedule your pick up, please contact Julie Towne by email or call at 641-939-8444.
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