Unused prescription drugs can be abused, or even hurt wildlife and the environment if flushed away, public health officials say. (Getty Images)
As part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sites across eastern Idaho will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for people to drop off medications.
The drug take back day events are hosted by several eastern Idaho law enforcement agencies and other organizations, Eastern Idaho Public Health announced in a news release last week.
Medications — prescribed, over-the-counter and veterinary drugs — will be accepted. Vaping equipment without batteries will also be accepted, such as vape pens, cartridges and other e-cigarette devices. Needles will not be accepted.
Why are there drug take back sites?
Unused prescription drugs can be abused, or even hurt wildlife and the environment if flushed away, public health officials say.
Nearly 14% of Idaho high schoolers reported misusing prescription drugs at least once in their life, according to the 2021 Idaho Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
Almost 74% of Idaho students who reported misusing prescription drugs in the past year say they did it in their homes, the 2021 Idaho Healthy Youth Survey found. Around 48% of those students said they misused their own prescription drugs, while almost 21% say they received them from friends or family for free and nearly 19% say they bought them from friends or family, according to that survey, which surveyed kids in sixth, eighth, 10th and 12th grade.
Drugs in water systems can also cause environmental damage — including by flushing them away, the Idaho Statesman reported. This month, there are also several locations in the Treasure Valley taking back prescription drugs, the Statesman reported.
How to dispose of prescription drugs in eastern Idaho?
Drug take back sites will be open across the eight-county Eastern Idaho Public Health District, including:
Bonneville County: College of Eastern Idaho at 1600 S. 25th E. Building 5 parking lot in Idaho Falls
Clark County: Clark County Sheriff’s Office, at 224 W. Main St. in Dubious
Jefferson County:
Rigby Police Department at 173 E. Main St. Suite 1 in Rigby
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 210 Courthouse Way in Rigby. (Additional instructions: In the lobby, the health district says to ring the doorbell button and ask dispatch to buzz you in to use the permanent medication drop box.)
Madison County:
Walmart parking lot at 1450 North 2nd in Rexburg
Madison County DMV at 510 North 2nd East in Rexburg
Fremont County:
St. Anthony Police Department at 420 N. Bridge St. Suite B in St. Anthony
People who want to dispose of prescription drugs outside of the national take back day can find drop-off locations online at the Idaho Office of Drug Policy’s website.
In eastern Idaho, people can also visit an Eastern Idaho Public Health office to request a free drug deactivation packet.
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