LGPD Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs October 28, 2023
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from the La Gande Police Department) On Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the La Grande Police Department, partnering with the Union County Safe Communities Coalition and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the La Grande Safeway parking lot, located on the east end of Adams Avenue at 2111 Adams Avenue. (We cannot accept liquids or needles, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
- Last Spring, Americans turned in 663,725 pounds (332 tons) of prescription drugs at 4,955 collection sites across the United States. The La Grande Police Department was one of 4,497 law enforcement agencies nationwide participating in this event.
- The La Grande Police Department hosts a Spring and Fall take back event and maintains a drug drop box in the lobby of the police department that is available 24/7. You can also use the drop box at Red Cross Drug Store, Grande Ronde Hospital and in the Safeway Pharmacy.
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 United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 28th Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com or contact the La Grande Police Department at 541-963-1017.
