BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — A Drug Take Back event is taking place at the Burleigh County Senior Center.
On May 28, from 8-11:30 a.m., staff from Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health (BBPH) and the Bismarck Police Department (BPD) will be offering a safe way to get rid of prescription drugs.
Not only is this event safe, but it’s also convenient and responsible. Those who drop off medications will be educated on the potential of medication misuse and abuse.
Unused or unwanted over-the-counter and prescription medications can be disposed of to prevent drug diversion and misuse, as well as protect the environment.
“Prescription opioid abuse and overdose is a growing concern in North Dakota,” said the SAP Coordinator at BBPH, Susan Kahler. “The Take Back program offers residents an easy, convenient way to dispose of medications — keeping them out of the wrong hands and helping protect the environment.”
These items will be accepted during the Take Back event:
- Unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications, including:
- Pills, tablets, and caplets (remove from packaging)
- Inhalers, nebulizer solutions, liquids, and creams (leave in original containers)
- Controlled substances
- Pain relievers such as Vicodin, hydrocodone, Demerol, OxyContin, fentanyl, and others
- Antidepressants such as Valium, Zoloft, Prozac, and others
- Sleep aids such as Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata, and others
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These items will not be accepted:
- Sharps (syringes, lancets), thermometers, glass, home-based care (HBC) or durable medical equipment (DME) supplies, and pharmacy inventory
- Cancer medications
“Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the community,” said Bismarck Police Officer Caity Horne. “Access is a key risk factor for abuse and addiction of prescription opioids. The fewer unused or expired medications available, the fewer drugs there are to be misused — and the fewer people at risk for abuse, addiction, overdose, or even death.”
The state offers two free programs for people to dispose of unwanted medications safely: the Take Back program at participating law enforcement agencies and the MedSafe program at participating pharmacies.
You can find permanent Take Back locations here.
The Burleigh County Senior Center is located at 315 N 20th St. in Bismarck.
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