In an effort to encourage individuals to properly dispose of unused medications, National Drug Take Back Day will be held Saturday, April 24, across the country, including locally in Prowers County.

The event will occur from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24 at the Lamar Police Department, 102 E. Parmenter St. To participate and dispose of unused and expired medications on this day, pull through the drop-off line from Parmenter Street. Individuals can drop off their tablet and capsule prescriptions as well as any over-the-counter medicine. Sharps, inhalers and chemotherapy medications will NOT be accepted.

According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2019, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million misused prescription stimulants and 5.9 million misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives. The misuse of legally prescribed drugs can often lead to increased numbers of drug addiction and overdose deaths.

2020 proved to be an especially deadly year for overdoses, likely as an unfortunate side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment listed provisional data from 2020 showing that 1,333 Coloradans died from an overdose — the highest number and rate in state history, dating back to 1975. By properly disposing of unused or expired drugs, the goal is to ultimately lower this number and keep opioids and other harmful medications out of the hands of those who will misuse them.

One of the places where abused prescription drugs are most commonly obtained is in a home — often in the medicine cabinet of a family member or friend. Robin Thacker, Pharmacist at Prowers Medical Center, said disposing of unused or expired medications is important when it comes to public safety and public health.

“It’s important to keep unused or expired medication out of the wrong hands,” she said. “That means keeping it out of children’s hands and out of the hands of people who will abuse these medications for unintended purposes.”

Disposal Recommendations for Unused/Expired Opioids and Medications

Prescription opioids are powerful pain-reducing drugs used to treat moderate to severe pain, typically after surgeries or injuries, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Common prescription opioids are hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, codeine, fentanyl and oxymorphone.

Prescription opioid misuse is one of the most common types of illegal drug use in the country. By keeping unused opioids in your home, you could be creating a serious health risk for others, especially teens or children who visit or live with you. Never share any of your prescriptions with others, and immediately dispose of them when you no longer medically need them.

The best way to properly and safely dispose of opioids and all other expired and unused medications is to drop them off at a designated medicine take-back location. If you can’t make the April or October National Drug Take Back Days, there are still several ways to properly dispose of medications.

First and foremost, individuals should find a safe disposal location designated by the DEA. The one located in Lamar is at the Prowers County Sheriff’s Office, 103 E. Oak St. This drop-off box is in the lobby area and is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. At this location, individuals can safely and anonymously drop off unused and expired prescription medications, including liquids still contained in the bottle, unopened insulin vials and tablet and capsule-form medications. Sharps are not accepted at the drop-off box.

The Lamar Police Department also is a convenient drop-off location that accepts medications in tablet form only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“This is the best and safest means of disposal,” Thacker said. “The Sheriff’s Office and Police Department are safe, non-judgmental locations for these returns. These drop-off locations allow you to get these medications out of your home as soon as is necessary.”

If a designated take-back spot is not available, check the FDA’s flush list to see if you can dispose of the medication in your bathroom. If your specific medication is on the FDA’s list, you can flush it down the toilet — again, allowing for the medication to be out of your home and exposed for misuse. Your last option is to throw it away in a household trash following the directions at www.FDA.gov/DrugDisposal, where you can also find the FDA’s official flush list.

If you have any questions about disposal of expired medications or other pharmacy services offered at Prowers Medical Center, call 719-336-6740 or go to prowersmedical.com. Please note that the Prowers Medical Center Pharmacy cannot take back any unused or expired drugs.