October 31, 2022
Kirksville, MO 10/31/22 – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has sponsored National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day for 23 years. The program offers people the opportunity to drop off out-of-date and unused prescription medications to keep them out of landfills, and wastewater systems, and out of reach for children and those who may try to use or sell medications not prescribed for them.
This year’s national event was held October 29, but in Adair County, the opportunity is there nearly every weekday throughout the year.
The Adair County Sheriff’s Office allows people to drop prescription medications into a collection box at its offices every Monday through Friday during regular office hours. To return yours, just buzz the office door at 215 N. Franklin Street in Kirksville and wait to be admitted into the lobby. Staff will assist you with disposing of your medication in the collection box.
People can dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications, ointments, and patches, as well as pet medications. However, thermometers, needles, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans, inhalers, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. Once a year, the Sheriff’s Office delivers boxes of collected medications to a DEA drop-off center for disposal.
“Outdated and unused prescription and over-the-counter medications are dangerous,” said Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “To keep our residents safe from the harms of outdated and unused medications, the Adair County Health Department encourages residents to take advantage of the drug drop-off at the Adair County Sheriff’s Office.”
