Take Back Unwanted, Unused Or Expired Drugs April 26, 2014

On April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you will have the opportunity to rid your homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused or unwanted drugs by taking them to the Bates County Health Center at 501 N. Orange St. in Butler.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.  The Health Center is unable to accept unwanted, unused or expired drugs at any time other than the specified event date of April 26^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  If you are unable to bring your unwanted, unused or expired drugs to this event, they may be dropped off at any time in the permanent drug take back box located in the lobby of the Butler Police Department, 309 N. Fulton in Butler.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Take the unwanted, unused or expired to the Bates County Health Center on Saturday, April 26^th.