KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
The DEA’s National Drug Take Back event his Saturday offers a safe way to dispose of expired or used medications.
Over 500 drop-off locations are available across the Kansas City metro area.
Irina Butler, executive director of the Pharmaceutical Product Stewardship Work Group, stressed the importance of checking expiration dates and proper storage of medications.
“We always want to make sure that we check the expiration dates,” said Irina Butler, executive director of PPSWG. “We want to make sure that the medicines in our medicine cabinets or wherever we are stored appropriately.”
Butler also touched on the importance of keeping medications out of reach to protect children, pets, and others in the home.
“They’re not easy to get to, right? So our kids, our pets, and others in the home are safe,” she said.
Many drop-off locations, including one at the Mission Police Department, will be open on Saturday.
The police department emphasized that old medications should not be flushed down the toilet, and the event serves as a reminder of proper disposal practices.
The event, held twice a year, aims to collect as much expired medication as possible.
“[It] combats drug abuse, drug diversion, and accidental ingestion,” Butler said.
For those unable to participate this weekend, Butler noted that websites like MyOldMeds.com can help identify drop-off locations that are open year-round.