EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso residents looking for a safer way to get rid of unused or expired medications can now pick up free medication deactivation pouches from the city.

The City of El Paso Public Safety Coalition is providing free Deterra Drug Deactivation System pouches at every El Paso Fire Department station to help residents safely dispose of medications at home.

According to the city, the Deterra pouches use activated carbon to deactivate medications, reducing the risk of misuse or accidental ingestion and helping keep medications out of wastewater and the environment.

The coalition includes the El Paso Fire Department, the Department of Public Health, and the El Paso Police Department.

Aliviane, a local organization focused on addressing substance use and promoting healthier communities, is supporting the initiative by supplying the Deterra pouches that will be distributed through EPFD stations.

City officials said the partnership among EPFD, DPH, EPPD and Aliviane supports ongoing efforts to promote public safety, prevent substance misuse and provide residents with practical resources to protect themselves and their families.

“Providing our community with convenient access to safe medication disposal is another way we can help prevent accidental poisonings, medication misuse and other dangers associated with unused medications,” EPFD Fire Chief Jonathan Killings said. “With fire stations located throughout the city, residents have a convenient and accessible resource to help safely deactivate and dispose of medications in their homes.”

Residents are encouraged to check their homes for expired or unused medications and pick up free Deterra pouches from their nearest EPFD station.

“The health and well-being of our community is our priority, and prevention saves lives, helps people live longer, and protects our most vulnerable members of our community,” said Local Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza. “The Public Safety Coalition is making our community safer by providing the necessary tools to address an important issue in every home, unused, dangerous medications that can be silent killers when someone intentionally or accidentally takes a medication that was not prescribed to them”

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