(Atlantic, Iowa – The Atlantic Elks Lodge and Atlantic Police Department are teaming up this year for “Drug Take Back Day.” The effort is part of the DEA’s Red Ribbon Week, recognized October 23 through October 31 every year and honors the life of Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was tortured and brutally murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985.

The BPO Elks have a long history of supporting and being instrumental is assisting the Drug Enforcement Agency efforts to stop drug use and abuse in the U.S. Atlantic Elks member Kent Gade spent decades leading the ELKS national drug prevention programs to national acclaim.

Lodge member Mark McNees said, “we are proud to continue the effort in partnership with the APD to help eliminate misuse and abuse by conducting the Drug Take Back Day. It’s important to properly dispose of these materials and not dump them down the toilet or drain, which then gets into the water system.”

The day is designed to allow residents to drop off their outdated over the counter medicines, old or unused prescription drugs, and unknown drugs. This helps keep them out of the hands of children and adults who could ingest them and overdose and to clear out medicines that are no longer needed.

Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue says the department has a drop off year around in the office, but this gives the community the opportunity to focus on a day to clear out the medicine cupboards and cabinets. Hogue states, “it is fine to bring in all types of medicine in their original containers, or in ziploc plastic bags. There are two items we cannot accept and those are liquids or sharps. Sharps need to be disposed of properly in sharps containers.”

The event will take place Saturday, Oct 26th from 9 am to 11 am at the Atlantic Elks Lodge where members and officers will collect the unwanted materials from residents. McNees says if the weather cooperates, they will do a drive through drop off in front of the Elks lodge at 411 Walnut St next to the police station. If there is inclement weather the items may be dropped off inside the lodge.