Turn in old medications at Cd'A Library on Saturday

The Coeur d'Alene Police Department and the city's Enough is Enough Committee are sponsoring a "Prescription Drug Turn-in Day" as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency's third National Pharmaceutical Drug Take Back Day, this Saturday.

The Prescription Drug Turn-In will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in front of the Coeur d'Alene Library, 702 E. Front Avenue. Coeur d'Alene Police will be on hand during that period to receive and destroy outdated or unused prescription medication.

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 Use of outdated medications is equally dangerous.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.

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"Prescription Drug Turn-in Day" is to stop the diversion of medications at the "source" and to help citizens dispose of outdated medications or medications that are no longer needed.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.

"There is growing concern that personal care products and pharmaceuticals can pass through a wastewater treatment plant and end up poisoning aquatic life in our rivers and streams," said Wastewater Superintendent Sid Fredrickson. "We ask our citizens not to flush these products down the drain."

Please note that only medications will be accepted - do not bring syringes or biohazards.

Sharpies will be provided for the public to mark out any personal information on the prescription bottle. Chief Longo encourages the public to turn in unused prescription medications.

Info: 769-2320