Regional authorities participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

The DEA is sponsoring the 15th annual National Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 26th. The initiative aims to give people the opportunity to dispose of their unused or expired medicines in a safe and legal manner. In Boyd County, a drive-thru will be established at the Ashland Police Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Todd Kelley is the Ashland police chief. He said transporting medications to a drop-off site helps keep the community safe.

“Leaving such things behind or out into the public is a crime of opportunity or an unnecessary situation to put someone in danger by taking medication or someone might have a problem or some sort of addiction. It takes away that opportunity,” Kelley said.

Kelley added that properly disposing of medications can also benefit the environment.

“To prevent or eliminate the possibility of it going down the drain or into a sewage system that could be toxic. Not just on the ground, but if there’s a break or something else in the line, it could get into the vegetation,” Kelley said.

Kelley said syringes will not be accepted and all medications must be consumable in nature, such as pills, powders or liquids. This event takes place twice a year and Kelley said the Ashland Police Department has participated in it for several years. According to DEA reports, approximately 335 tons of drugs were collected across the country during Drug Take Back Day in April. After all medications are dropped off, they are sent to a DEA disposal site. More information and additional drop-off locations can be found online at dea.gov.