Hazelwood Police Will Take Your Prescription Drugs With No Questions Asked

The Hazelwood Police Department will join more than 4,000 other law enforcement agencies from across the country for this year’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In Hazelwood, you can anonymously drop off expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications at two locations, including Hazelwood City Hall and the Police Sub-Station at St. Louis Mills, according to a release from the city.

“The abuse of prescription drugs is a growing problem, particularly among teenagers who experiment with medicines in their family’s medicine cabinet or get their supply from friends,” said Tim Davidson, communications coordinator for the City of Hazelwood.

National Take-Back Drug events have been embraced in communities across the country. For example, on the most recent one on April 28, a record-breaking 552,161 pounds of unwanted or expired medications were turned in across the country.

The City of Hazelwood collected approximately 300 pounds of pills, compared to the St. Louis region’s total of 12,371 pounds, the city said.

“We’re very pleased with the response we’ve been getting from Hazelwood residents, and we thank them for participating and contributing to the battle against prescription drug abuse,” said HPD Sgt. Andy Eagan.  “The increase in the amount of pills we’ve collected each time can be attributed to the growing level of trust people have about disposing the medications they no longer need.”

No Questions Asked

Eagan added that people don’t need to be afraid to turn in their unused prescription drugs.

“We make it simple for them by placing collection boxes at the street curb in front of City Hall or just inside the front door at the Police Substation at St. Louis Mills,” Eagan said.  “No questions are asked and identification is never requested.  All they have to do is drop off their medications and leave.”

If it rains, the collection boxes will be moved inside the lobby near the front entrance. If the weather is clear, you can just drive up and dump your pill bottles in the collection box and leave.

“Until a more uniform system for prescription drug disposal is set up, the HPD will continue partnering with the DEA on these Take-Back Drug events as a public service to our residents,” Sgt. Eagan added.

Turn In Unused Drugs, Save a Life

The Take-Back Drug program addresses a vital public safety and health issue.

According to the city’s press release, abuse of prescription drugs is the fastest-growing segment for illegal drug use in America.

Shocking Statistics

In the U.S. alone, more than 15 million people abuse prescription drugs, a total that surpasses the combined number who report using cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin. 

Disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet has the potential of poisoning the city’s clean water systems.

Teenagers at Higher Risk

Teenagers are especially at risk for prescription drug abuse and addiction, the city said, citing recent statistics that show one in five teens reported that they “have abused prescription drugs to get high, and 1 in 7 reported doing so in the past 12 months.”

“They often experiment with drugs at unsupervised parties and get hooked on them by raiding the medicine cabinet or asking friends for their supply,” the release stated.

Will you support the Drug Take-Back event and turn in unused or expired prescription drugs? Share your thoughts in the comments section, below.