FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Andy Skoogman, 612-919-5918
National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 24
October 19, 2020 (Minneapolis) - Saturday, October 24 is National Drug Take Back Day, a national day dedicated to drug abuse prevention. As part of the national event, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office will provide two convenient outdoor sites where members of the public can drop off unwanted and unused medications and vaping devices for free. Both sites will be located in a grocery store parking lot and staffed by sheriff's deputies who will collect unwanted medications - no need for residents to get out of their vehicles. All deputies and staff at the event will be wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines, including keeping interactions with the public as brief as possible.
Vaping and e-cigarette devices will also be collected at the event. All devices must have the battery removed before collection. Deputies will not collect devices with batteries still installed.
Deputies will also hand out free Deterra medication disposal pouches for residents who may have additional medications at home that they wish to dispose of properly. Deterra bags have been made available via partnerships with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Foundation and the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) of Minnesota.
“We are pleased to be hosting another Drug Take Back Day event,” said Sheriff David Hutchinson. “The opioid addiction crisis hasn’t gone away during the pandemic. In fact, by many measures, it has gotten worse. Fortunately, we now know enough about managing the pandemic that we can safely host an outdoor collection event. And prescription painkillers remain the primary gateway into opioid abuse.”
Each year, about 2 million Americans misuse prescription pain relievers for the first time. Flushing medication or throwing it in the trash is bad for our natural environment. Proper storage and disposal of medication is a critical component part of addressing the opioid epidemic. For more information about the opioid addiction crisis and how the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is working to fight it, visit hennepinsheriff.org/stop.
When: Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Drop-off locations will be located at:
Cub Foods, Rogers– 13855 Rogers Drive, Rogers
Cub Foods, Brooklyn Center – 3245 County Road 10, Brooklyn Center
Most prescription drug abusers say that they obtained their supply of prescription medications from friends and family. Properly disposing of prescription medication, such as opioids, can significantly decrease the likelihood of individuals having access to these highly addictive drugs. Media is welcome to film either of the outdoor drop-off sites. However, media will not be permitted to film inside store locations unless otherwise approved by retailers. There are over 30 year-round medicine drop boxes located throughout Hennepin County. For a full listing, including a map of locations, visit hennepin.us/medicine.
– HCSO– Look for more news on the Hennepin County Sheriff's website at http://www.hennepinsheriff.org.