Turn in old medications at CHS Fair April 30

COEUR d'ALENE -Prescription Drug Turn-In Day will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at Coeur d'Alene High School.

Coeur d'Alene Police will be on hand at the school to receive and destroy outdated or unused prescription medication.

Sponsored by the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, and Rathdrum Police departments, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department, the city's Enough is Enough Committee, and Idaho Drug Free Youth, the program is in its fifth year.

It coincides with the CHS Safety Fair, with numerous other agencies and groups represented. The safety fair is geared towards family emergency preparedness and offers activities for children and door prizes.

Citizens can also turn in their medications at the Post Falls City Hall, 408 N. Spokane St., Rathdrum Police Department, 8178 W. Main Street, Hayden City Hall, 8930 N. Government Way, Athol City Hall, and Harrison City Hall, also between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day.

The purpose of "Prescription Drug Turn-in Day" is to stop the diversion of medications at the "source" and to help citizens dispose of outdated medications or medications that are no longer needed. By disposing of the items safely, it also helps our environment because they won't be flushed into the wastewater system.

Also, school resource officers and School District 271 administrators have reported increased cases of students accessing prescription medications that belong to a family member and selling or abusing them at school. The risk is that individuals may use medications that are not prescribed for them. Use of outdated medications is equally dangerous. The most common medications sold or distributed are narcotics such as oxycontin and vicodin. Prescription and over-the-counter cold remedies, as well as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, are also passed on to other students.

Only medications will be accepted - do not bring syringes or biohazards. Please do not bring, for example, allergy needles or needles used for injections.

Sharpies will be provided for the public to mark out any personal information on the prescription bottle. Information: 769-2320.