BY KAREN BOSSICK
Wood River Valley residents are being offered the opportunity to dispose of unused or expired prescriptions during Take Back Day today—Saturday, April 24.
Prescription drugs may be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Community Campus, 1050 Fox Acres Road, in Hailey. They also may be dropped off at the Lynwood Shopping Center, 1147 Filer Ave. in Twin Falls.
Individuals will be able to drive through and drop off all prescription drugs, including over-the-counter and veterinary medications. The Take Back Day collection sites will also accept vape pens, cartridges and other e-cigarette devices without the batteries in the device. Needles will not be accepted.
Seventy percent of opioids prescribed for surgery go unused, making them prime targets for misuse, according to the American Medical Association. In 2019 the Idaho Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that nearly a quarter of Idaho 12th graders reported that they had taken a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription one or more times. Nearly half confessed to taking the drugs from a family member or friend.
“Medications that are left out or thrown away improperly can be dangerous for people, animals, and the environment. This is a great opportunity to help protect the people closest to you and your entire community,” said Taylor Bybee, SCPHD Health Education Specialist.
Take Back Day is sponsored by South Central Public Health District (SCPHD), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Twin Falls County Sheriff’s office, Twin Falls County Treatment and Recovery Clinic, Hailey Police Department, NAMI Wood River and the Idaho Office of Drug Policy
If you miss today’s Take Back Day and need to dispose of prescription medications, you may find year-round drop off locations online at www.odp.idaho.gov/prescription-drug-take-back-program.