On Saturday, Jan. 30, from 8 to 11 a.m. the Copper Basin Coalition, in conjunction with the Miami Police Department and the AZ Counterdrug Task Force Civil Operations will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the Miami Police Department at 740 Sullivan Street in Miami, Arizona (site cannot accept liquids over 4 oz., needles or sharps; only pills or patches). The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. To keep everyone safe, collection sites will follow local Covid-19 guidelines and regulations.

This event is a collaborative effort between the Copper Basin Coalition, Arizona Youth Partnership, the AZ Counterdrug Task Force Civil Operations, and local law enforcement agencies to address a vital public safety and public health issue. Medications that are not needed and remain in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The threat these items present far outweigh the benefit of keeping them around.

In addition to these events, you can always dispose of unwanted prescription drugs every day using the permanent prescription drop off boxes in our community. They are located at the Miami Police Station (740 Sullivan Street in Miami), the Globe Police Station (175 N. Pine Street in Globe) and the CVS Pharmacy Lobby (100 N. Broad Street in Globe).

The FDA also provides information on how to properly dispose of prescription drugs. More information is available here: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 24 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.