As part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the Council Bluffs Police Department will participate in the semiannual event this Saturday, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency. The event is designated as “Council Bluffs Operation Medicine Cabinet” and involves the collaboration of several community organizations,  volunteers, and the City of Council Bluffs Recycling Center.

The rain or shine event will be located at Walgreens, 535 East Broadway in Council Bluffs, on the west side of the store near the drive through pharmacy lanes.  Hours are from 10-a.m. until 2-p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28th. Citizens are simply asked to drive through a designated lane, hand over their unused, expired prescription or over the counter drugs with no questions asked.

The Council Bluffs Police Department has helped to organize 15 Prescription Drug Drop Off event since 2010. The past events have collected more than 4,946 pounds of prescription and over the counter drugs with more than 2,722 residents dropping them off anonymously. Prescription drug abuse in the U.S. is increasing at an alarming rate, as are the numbers of accidental poisonings and overdoses. Studies show many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from home  medicine cabinets. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicines, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away, which are both potential safety and health hazards.

Prescription drug abuse is a huge problem and this drug drop off event is a great opportunity for citizens of Council Bluffs and anyone else, to help reduce this threat. Please clean out your medicine cabinets and make your home safe from potential drug theft and abuse.