PD seeks unwanted drugs

Residents with unwanted prescription drugs can take them to a drop off box at Smith’s Food and Drug Saturday.

The drop off is sponsored by the Green River Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration and takes place from 10 a.m., to 2 p.m.

The event is designed to give residents a chance to safely rid their homes of unused pills and patches. The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles. The service is free and anonymous.

During a similar event last fall, Americans turned in 456 tons of prescription drugs at more than 5,300 drop off sites. Overall, during the past seven years, the DEA has taken in and destroyed more than 4,500 tons of unused prescription medications.

According to a release issued by the police department, the event deals with an important public safety and health issue. Unused drugs can be targets for theft and abuse by family and friends.

Unused drugs also pose a safety risk as large numbers of accidental poisonings and overdoses occur because of their ease of access. Disposing of unwanted drugs by flushing them down a toilet or tossing them in the trash also pose health and safety problems.

For those unable to drop their unwanted drugs off during the event, the GRPD also maintains a permanent prescription drop box in the police department lobby at 375 W. Flaming Gorge Way.