Puyallup's Drug Take-Back Day Nets Over 100 Pounds in Unwanted Medication

The public kept the Puyallup Police Department busy this Saturday and dropped off over 100 pounds of unwanted medication to be destroyed during National Drug Take-Back Day.

Puyallup PD tweeted:

The numbers are in & we collected 110 pounds of unused meds this past Saturday on National Take-Back Day. Great Work Everyone!

The program gave the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by removing potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs from their homes.

And it's not just a once-a-year event. Puyallup citizens can drop off expired or unwanted prescriptions drugs from their household at the PPD lobby any time, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The secure drop box in the police lobby can be accessed afterhours by pressing the button to be let inside.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Use prescription painkillers only as directed by a health care provider.

Make sure you are the only one to use your prescription painkillers. Not selling or sharing them with others helps prevent misuse and abuse.

Store prescription painkillers in a secure place and dispose of them properly.

Get help for substance abuse problems if needed (1-800-662-HELP).