The pandemic has taken its toll in many ways, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an increase in overdose deaths. Although started prior to the pandemic, the health emergency accelerated significantly during the first few months and 83,544 Americans overdosed in a 12-month period ending July 1, 2020. This is the highest ever recorded in a 12-month period. Because the majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, clearing out unused medicines is essential. In their ongoing effort to bring these startling statistics down the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be hosting its 20th prescription drug Take Back Day this Saturday, April 24. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the DEA and its partners will be collecting tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs. This includes the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office, who will be accepting drop offs at 318 Leroy Street, with entry through the Sheriff’s door on the south side of the Audubon County Courthouse. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps and illegal drugs will not be accepted. They will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at drop off locations, however the lithium batteries must be removed. In addition to these special Take Back events, the Audubon and Carroll County Sheriff’s Offices have drop boxes located near their offices that are available for residents to use during regular business hours year-round. Since the inception of Take Back Days 10 years ago, the DEA has collected more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs. Close to 500 tons was collected at the last event in October.
