Turn in your unwanted medications at take-back event April 29

The Kansas City Police Department is joining with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to sponsor a drug take-back event Saturday, April 29.

Police will be at locations throughout the City from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect unused prescription and over-the-counter medicine. Drugs can be handed over to police, no questions asked. Neither the DEA nor police will track who disposes of the drugs or what types of drugs. All types of drugs will be accepted from individuals with the exception of needles, injectables, and aerosols/inhalers. Excess medication from businesses such as pharmacies, hospitals and physicians will not be accepted. The drugs will be incinerated.

Kansas City Missouri Police facilitated a metro-wide collection in October 2016 of a record 1,510 pounds of drugs for the last take-back event. Turning the drugs in prevents diversion, misuse and abuse. According to the DEA, studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Turning in unwanted and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications to police also is the safest and most environmentally friendly way to dispose of them.

The Kansas City, Mo., locations where people can drop off the drugs are:

· CVS – 2435 Independence Ave.
· MainCor Parking Lot– 3215 Main St.
· Price Chopper & First Call – 8430 Wornall Rd.
· Children’s Mercy Hospital – 2401 Gillham Rd.
· Research Medical Center, Brookside Campus – 6601 Rockhill Rd.
· KCPD North Patrol Division – 1001 NW Barry Rd.
· KCPD Shoal Creek Patrol Division – 6801 NE Pleasant Valley Rd.
· KCPD South Patrol Division – 9701 Marion Park Dr.

For more information, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.