The Soldotna and Kenai Police Departments announced on Tuesday, Apr. 30, that they have collected 275 pounds of prescription drugs in the last six months as a result of Prescription Drug Takeback Days in October 2023 and April 2024.
Every year, the Drug Enforcement Agency hosts the biannual efforts to collect unused drugs to create opportunities for folks to safely dispose of their prescription drugs that are no longer needed. The goal is to keep prescription painkillers from being misused and to educate the public about prescription drug abuse.
The Alaska Department of Health says that while there are other means to dispose of leftover prescriptions, turning them over to the proper authorities allows for the drugs to be properly “deactivated.”
“Most drugs should not be flushed in a toilet or thrown in the trash. Alaskans can also get safe drug disposal bags from their local public health center to deactivate certain drugs, such as opioids, before disposal. These bags are currently available free of charge at many State of Alaska Public Health Centers. Call your local public health center to check on availability,” the Health Department said in a press release.
The joint effort of the Kenai and Soldotna Police Departments has effectively helped eliminate the threat of prescription drug abuse by hosting the biannual depository events for several years. However, SPD added in a press release on Tuesday that they do have a drop box in their lobby for any prescription drugs anyone would like to dispose of at any time.
For more information on the DEA National Takeback, please visit https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.
