The Northland Coalition, with the support of Tri-County Mental Health Services, has partnered with the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), law enforcement agencies and other communities across the country to encourage the responsible disposal of prescriptions.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 27 is specially designated to focus on reminding anyone who uses prescription drugs to keep them carefully stored and to safely dispose of any that are no longer needed. Currently there are 12 permanent drop box sites located in law enforcement agencies operating throughout the year in Clay, Platte and Ray counties. The service is free and anonymous.
According to the DEA, studies show that the preponderance of misused prescription drugs leading to significantly high rates of accidental poisonings and overdoses are obtained from the medicine cabinets of family and friends.
According to the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA), the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 20 percent of teens say they have taken a prescription drug without having a prescription. The most commonly misused prescription medications include opioids and pain relievers such as hydrocodone (Vicodin®) and oxycodone (OxyContin®); barbiturates and benzodiazepines including diazepam (Valium®) and alprazolam (Xanax®); and stimulants including dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine® or Adderall®) and methylphenidate (Ritalin® or Concerta®)
In addition to prescription drugs, some over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can be misused. Five percent of teens surveyed report using over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine to get high. When taken in excessive amounts, the CADC says cough medicine ingredients such as DXM can cause very serious side effects affecting heartbeat, blood pressure and memory as well as causing nausea and vomiting.
Prevention Services Manager Vicky Ward, Tri-County Mental Health Services, the administrative support for the Northland Coalition, emphasizes the importance of the issue. “Properly storing and monitoring prescription drugs and then disposing of those unused and no longer needed is critical in addressing their misuse.” She added that improper disposal of them, such as flushing them, can negatively impact the water supply and community at large.
Ward said it is important for anyone involved with teens to talk to them about prescription and misuse of OTC cough medicine and share information about their appropriate use as well as to safeguard any medicines in their home.
According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.2 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. And, the majority was obtained from family and friends.
Since the Take Back program began in 2009, Ward said the Northland communities have enthusiastically participated in the program. “”The 12 prescription disposal receptacles in Clay, Platte and Ray counties average approximately 100 pounds each per month, collecting 1,200 pounds of unwanted medications yearly. Additionally, during last year’s National Take Back Day, we collected another 4,177 pounds from these sites, totaling 5,377 pounds of medications. That is a significant amount of unneeded prescription and over-the-counter drugs that were potentially kept out of the hands of our youth.”
The permanent Northland drop box sites and their hours of operation include:
Excelsior Springs Police Dept. Lobby
301 South Main, Excelsior Springs, Mo 64024
(816) 630-2000
Permanent Drop Off hours: Open 24 hours daily
Gladstone Police Dept.
7010 N. Holmes, Gladstone, Mo. 64118
(816) 436-3550: Drop Off hours: Open 24 hours daily
Kearney Police Dept.
725 W. 92 Highway, Kearney, Mo. 64060
(816) 628-3925
Drop Off hours: M-F 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
and 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
KCMO Police North Patrol Lobby
11000 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City, MO 64153
(816) 437-6200 Drop Off Hours: Open 24 hours daily
KCMO Police Shoal Creek Patrol Lobby
6801 NE Pleasant Valley Rd., Kansas City, Mo. 64119
(816) 413-3400 Drop Off Hours: Open 24 hours daily
Lawson Police Dept.
103 W. 3rd St., Lawson, Mo. 64062
(816) 580-7210 Drop Off Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
(Advised to call before coming.)
Liberty Police Dept. Lobby
101 E. Kansas St., Liberty, Mo. 64068
(816) 439-4716 Drop Off Hours: Open 24 hours daily
North Kansas City Police Dept. Lobby
2020 Howell Street, North Kansas City, Mo. 64116
(816) 274-6013 Drop Off Hours: Open 24 hours daily
Platte County Sheriff’s Office Lobby
415 Third Street, Platte City, Mo. 64079
(816) 858-2424 Drop Off Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
Richmond Police Dept.
205 Summit St., Richmond, Mo. 64085
(816) 776-3575; Drop Off Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Riverside Police Dept. Lobby
2990 NW Vivion Road, Riverside, Mo. 64150
(816) 741-1191 Drop Off Hours: 24 hours daily
Smithville Police Dept. Lobby
107 West Main Street, Smithville, Mo. 64089
(816) 532-0500 Drop Off Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
If any of the listed drop sites are not convenient, those interested can visit www.dea.gov, type in their zip code and find the drop location nearest to them.
WHAT NOT TO BRING – WON’T BE ACCEPTED
-Do not bring illicit drugs (e.g. cocaine, marijuana, etc.) KCPD asks that anyone finding illicit drugs call 911 and ask for an officer to respond to the location.
-Not accepted: sharp objects, including needles, radioactive medicines, bio-hazardous materials or glass thermometers or other medical devices.
For those unable to use the Prescription Drug Take Back boxes in their area, the following method of disposal is recommended:
Remove and shred labels from the bottles. Crush pills and mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter. Place the mixture in a sealed container and dispose of it with trash.
For further information about the Take Back program or prescription drug abuse, contact the Northland Coalition by visiting www.northlandcoalition.com or calling 816-877-0401.