Sheriff, Police taking back unwanted prescription drugs

Press Release – On Saturday, 28 October 2017 from 10a-2p the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and Gillette Police Department, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration, will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs.

 Bring your pills for disposal to Walgreens. The service is FREE and anonymous. No Questions Asked.

This initiative is meant to address a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that go unchecked in home cabinets are highly susceptible to illegal diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the US are alarmingly high. A number of accidental poisoning and overdoes due to these drugs are reported every year. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends home medicine cabinets.

In addition, Americans are now advised their usual method of disposing unused medicines, flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash poses potential safety and health risks. Some of these include ground water contamination, ingestion by pets or other animals or accidental contact with the drugs by sanitation workers. For more information see the DEA Diversion website or contact Deputy Rick Johnson 687-6116