Hazelwood Police Host Anonymous Prescription Drug Drop-off April 27

Whether you have some old pain pills in the medicine cabinet and you don't know what to do with them; or you got your hands on some pills that don't belong to you, the Hazelwood Police Department (HPD) is giving you an opportunity this month to get rid of the medicine, no questions asked.

In partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, April 27 is the day to take advantage of the offer. Hazelwood police will host the Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at the Hazelwood City Hall, located at 415 Elm Grove Lane. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rid your home of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

There will be drive-up and drop-off services that are anonymous. No identification is required to participate. Drive up to the box and throw unwanted bottles out the window.

In case of rain, signs will be posted directing participants to the collection box placed inside the lobby area near the front entrance. There will also be a collection site at the Police Sub-Station at St. Louis Outlet Mall. A collection box will be placed just inside the front door.

The program is federally funded through a U.S. Food and Drug Administration grant, which funds the event nationwide annually. In 2010, nationwide Americans turned in more than 242,000 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 DEA event sites across the country. Maryland Heights' event is part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back.

The major problem with many of these forgotten prescription drugs is they contain another drug called opioids, a morphine like drug that is derived from opium, according to ABC News/ Health. Taken for pain, this drug can be very helpful, but if abused, can become addictive and even deadly. 

For additional information about the event, contact HPD Sgt. Andy Eagan at (314) 513-5208.