Cedar Rapids Police Drug Take-Back Day Saturday

To help residents safely dispose of outdated, expired and unused prescription medication, the Cedar Rapids Police Department holds another of its regular "Drug Take Back" days this Saturday, October 24.

It's part of a national campaign with the Drug Enforcement Administration that will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Obviously, the collection event will be held differently this time with social distancing in mind. Please wear a face covering and use either the walk-up location at the Cedar Rapids Police Station, 505 1st SW. If you cannot make it during this time frame but have items you would like disposed of properly, there is also a 24-hour drop box available at the police station vestibule.

Information from a press release gives an overview of items that will be accepted and those that will not. Products accepted at this event will be all medications in pill or patch form (prescriptions, vitamins, prescription ointments, pet medications, prescription patches, and over-the-counter medications) and those will be taken free with no questions asked. Liquids, needles, and sharps will not be accepted.

Things that will not be accepted include needles, inhalers, aerosol cans, thermometers, lotions or liquids, and hydrogen peroxide.

For more information the National Drug Take Back Day campaign, you can visit this website. It states that according to a 2018 Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. Most were accessible in the abuser's home or that of a friend, relative or other close loved one which makes the safe and proper disposal of these substances so important.