By: Ashley Harding
aharding@klkntv.com
Get ready to clean out your medicine cabinets because another "drug take back" event is just around the corner. It's happening Saturday, September 29th. 6 different pharmacies are participating including Walgreens and CVS.
Here at the Walgreens pharmacy on Pine Lake road, officials prepare for another "drug take back" event. It's where law enforcement and pharmacies team up to collect your unused and expired prescription drugs.
Walgreens pharmacist Donna Eirich said,"You know, there is drug abuse going on. So we are happy to take them back so no one else in the family or younger children can pick those medications up."
At a similar event in April, officials collected nearly 800 pounds of prescription drugs from 6 Lincoln pharmacies. Studies show prescription drug abuse is on the rise, and a lot of times the abuse begins at home. Officials also say there is a common misconception that prescription drugs are 100% safe.
"When it's readily available and it's not as closely monitored, there's a chance that young people and or kids can accidentally take it or abuse it," said Captain Chris Peterson.
Unfortunately that does happen. Earlier this year, some students were caught selling drugs at Northeast High School. In March, 12 year old Serena Garrett died after police say she took someone else's prescription meds for a headache.
Officials hope taking back some of the meds will take us one step closer to ending prescription drug abuse.
"I really hope people will take this opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets. Also update their medications, make sure they know what they're taking, and get those medications that they don't need out of their house," said Eirich.
The event is Saturday, September 29th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is free and anonymous. Participating pharmacies include:
Walgreens at 8300 Northern Lights
Walgreens at 4000 South 70th Street
Walgreens at 2630 Pine Lake Road
CVS at 4800 O Street
CVS at 1401 Superior Street
Four Star Drug at 13851 Guildford Street, Waverly
