As they do several times a year, the Kansas City police are joining up with the US Drug Enforcement Administration for a drug take-back in MainCor parking lot, 3215 Main St., this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
These groups want to encourage people to dispose of unused prescription and over-the-counter medicine, rather than flushing them or leaving them around for possible misuse. They say turning in unwanted and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications to police is the safest and most environmentally friendly way to dispose of them.
“Don’t throw them away,” Detective Donie Hoffman said. “There’s a misconception if you put it in cat litter, it will degrade it. That’s not true. If you flush it down the toilet, it gets into our water and ecosystem. And we don’t want controlled-substance prescription medications getting in the wrong hands.”
Hoffman said families who recently have had loved ones pass away after a prolonged illness especially could benefit from the take-backs. These individuals often are prescribed multiple controlled substances, and the take-back ensures no one else can abuse them.
Those turning in the medicines won’t even have to get out of their cars. They can just hand the drugs over to police, no questions asked. Police will not track who turns in what. All forms of medicine (liquids, pills) will be accepted, with the exception of needles. The D.E.A. will incinerate the drugs.
Kansas City Police collected 770 pounds of drugs at the last take-back event in October, more than any other city in Missouri.
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