An event scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) is designed to tackle Iowa’s fastest growing form of substance abuse. Dale Woolery, with the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, says there will be around 80 sites in Iowa where people can safely dispose of their old or unwanted prescription medicines. Woolery says the “Take Back” events will keep pills from being flushed or dropped down a drain and potentially harming the environment. “And, we’re getting (these drugs) out of circulation to hopefully prevent the abuse of these medicines,” Woolery says.

The drop-off sites in Iowa are among thousands across the country as part of National Prescription Take Back Day. The event is sponsored twice each year by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Woolery says the drugs taken back in Iowa have been on the rise. “That may mean there’s increasing awareness and better understanding that there is a safer, better way to get rid of our medications. At least we hope so,” Woolery says.

During the last Take Back day in April, Iowans dropped off an all-time high amount of prescription drugs. “Nearly four tons of unused medicines were disposed of at around 100 sites around the state,” Woolery says. Most of the Take Back sites in Iowa will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take Back locations can be found through a search on the website D-E-A dot gov (dea.gov).

Here are some locations in the KJAN listening area:

• The Audubon Police Dept. (410 N. Park Place)

• Manning Police Dept. (309 Elm St.)

• Hy-Vee Pharmacy in Red Oak

• Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office (200 N. 5th St.)

• Treynor Community Center (11 W. Main)

• Coon Rapids Police Dept. (123 3rd Ave. S.)

• Carroll Police Dept. (rear of the bldg. at 112 E. 5th St.)

• Walgreens in Council Bluffs (535 E. Broadway)

• Carter Lake City Hall (950 Locust St.)

• Medicap Pharmacy (1206 Locust St.) in Glenwood.

(story by Radio Iowa/Ric Hanson-KJAN)