FORT RILEY, Kan. - Those wanting to get rid of unwanted prescription medications can safely dispose of them during National Prescription Take Back Day from 4 to 7 p.m. April 27 in the front lobby of the Main Post Exchange.

The event is a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Army Substance Abuse Program to destroy all potentially dangerous, controlled substances.

Any expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications will be accepted. Intravenous solutions, hypodermic needles and syringes, however, will not be accepted. Illicit substances, like marijuana or methamphetamines, are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.

"We don't ask any questions," said Nicole Sizemore, lead prevention coordinator, Army Substance Abuse Program. "People can just put their medications - containers and all - in the big cardboard box at the event."

There also will be a representative at the event to help answer any prescription drug-related questions.

All prescribed medicines are collected by the DEA and are burned in an incinerator.
The purpose of getting rid of prescribed medications is to keep them from getting into the wrong hands, Sizemore said.

"Pain pills that are prescribed are sold on the street, and people are addicted to prescribed medication," she said, adding that old medicine lying around the house also can be mistakenly thought of as candy by young children.

Flushing unused medication down drains is not a safe way of getting rid of prescribed medicines, Sizemore said.

"Prescribed medicines, which are flushed down drains, get into the drinking water and can be consumed by fish we eat," she said.

National Prescription Take Back Day is a biannual event that occurs every April and October. The previous two take-back events collected more than 50 pounds of medications combined, Sizemore said.

"That's pretty significant," she said. "This event helps to provide a safe community for all of us, our children and the environment."

For more information, call 785-239-5075.