Prescription drug abuse is a problem in our country. The 2007 National Study of Drug Use and Health found that 70% of people who abuse prescription pain relievers indicated they got them from friends or relatives, and the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that upwards of 9 million people use prescription medication for non-medical uses.
It is time to take inventory of the unused, unwanted, and expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines your medicine cabinet and get rid of them! In conjunction with the national American Medicine Chest Challenge, a local Drug Disposal Day will be held on Saturday, November 13th from 9 AM until 1 PM. This one-day only drop-off event for medications - including controlled substances - will take place at Trinity American Lutheran Church (located at 605 W. 4th Street in Waterloo). The American Medicine Chest Challenge is designed to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and provide a nationwide day of disposal of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine.
Controlled substances such as Adderall, Vicodin, Demerol, Hydrocodone, MS Contin, Oxycontin, Percocet, and Ambien will be accepted during the event. This is a great opportunity to get rid of these materials, since pharmacy take-back programs are not able to accept these medications. Federal government regulations require law enforcement officials to be present during the collection, transportation, and destruction of controlled substances.
Substances can be dropped off anonymously at no charge, rain or shine, with NO questions asked. Residents are also encouraged to drop off medications on behalf of others that are unable to make it to the one-day event.
The Waterloo Police Department, Trinity American Lutheran Church, Allen Health Systems, MidAmerican Energy, Pathways Behavioral Services, and Home Instead Senior Care are sponsoring this local collection event. The Black Hawk County Solid Waste Management Commission is also encouraging residents to participate in this event to reduce the amount of these materials entering the landfill.
For more information please call Trinity Lutheran Church at 319-235-6269 or visit www.americanmedicinechest.com.