KCSO collecting unused medications today

HAYDEN — The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office will help collect unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Northern Lakes Fire Department No. 1 in Hayden as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The free — and anonymous — take-back is an effort to help residents safely dispose of prescription drugs. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose safely risks; leaving medications in home cabinets leaves them susceptible to abuse.

Any kind of prescription medicine will be accepted.

In 2018, Kootenai County had 72 opioid prescriptions for every 100 people. According to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department, 44 percent of Idaho youth who misused medications said they got the medications from their own prescriptions. More than a quarter, or 27 percent, got medications from friends or family.

Last year, Americans turned in 469 tons of prescription drugs — more than twice the weight of the Statue of Liberty.

The Sandpoint Police Department also will collect medications today at 1123 Lake St. in Sandpoint.

Residents also can dispose of prescription drugs at the drug take-back box in the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office lobby during business hours.

Northern Lakes Fire Station #1 is located at 125 W. Hayden Ave., Hayden.