Prescription Drug Disposal Enabled

The Jackson Police Department in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Smith’s Food and Drug are conducting a prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative this weekend in hopes of preventing increased pill abuse and theft in the area.  Police Sergeant Cole Nethercott explains that the anonymous program urges citizens to turn in expired, unused, or unwanted prescription or over the counter medications for destruction.  Nethercott explains the rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  He says studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many people do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing it down the toilet or throwing it away – both potential safety and health hazards.  Police officers will be at Smith’s Food and Drug in Jackson, from Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to facilitate the collection.