Ankeny Police Schedule Coffee With A Cop And Prescription Drug Take Back Event

ANKENY, IA — Join members of the Ankeny Police Department for coffee and conversation from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 as they host a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at UnityPoint Ankeny Medical Park, 3625 N. Ankeny Blvd. Residents can drop off any expired or unused prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications during the event, which is part of a national campaign to bring awareness to the dangers of leaving unused medications in the home.

Pills that languish in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, police say. In addition, common disposal methods for unused medicines — flushing them or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards. The drug collection service is free and anonymous; no questions will be asked.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Diversion Control Division, addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Several Des Moines metro-area departments are hosting similar events to rid the communities of unneeded pharmaceuticals.

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In April Americans turned in 450 tons, or 900,000 pounds, of prescription drugs at almost 5,500
sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in 13 prescription collection events, the program has taken in more than 8.1 million pounds — more than 4,050 tons — of pills nationwide.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, or taken from a home's medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans typically dispose of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, and both pose potential safety and health hazards.

The police can only accept tablets, capsules or patches as part of the program. Liquids, needles, sharps, inhalers, syringes, IV solutions and other biohazard materials will not be accepted. Ways to safely and properly dispose of liquid medications, needles or sharps are available on the DEA's website.

In conjunction with the Ankeny event, police officers will visit with residents through the Coffee With A Cop program to allow residents to get to know members of the police department in a relaxed environment where residents can meet officers, ask questions and discuss concerns.

Coffee with a Cop also is a national initiative. It aims to build trust and relationships with police officers and community members, one cup of coffee at a time.

For more information about the events, contact Lt. Brian Kroska at 515-289-5244 or bkroska@ankenyiowa.gov.

Patch file photo