The DEA is sponsoring the 15th annual National Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 26. The initiative is designed to give people an opportunity to dispose of their unused or expired medication in a safe and legal manner. In Boyd County a drive-through will be set up at the Ashland Police Department from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Todd Kelley is the Chief of Police in Ashland. He said taking medicine to a drop-off point helps keep the community safe.
“Things like that left behind or out in the open is a crime of opportunity or an unnecessary situation to put somebody in harm's way by taking medicine or somebody may have an issue or have some kind of addiction. It takes that opportunity away,” said Kelley.
Kelley added that properly disposing of medication can also benefit the environment.
“To prevent, or remove, the opportunities that throwing it down a drain or in some kind of septic system that could be poisonous. To not only the ground but if there's a break or something in the line, it could get into vegetation,” Kelley said.
Kelley said syringes will not be accepted and all drugs must be consumable in nature like pills, powder, or liquid. This event happens twice a year and Kelley said the Ashland Police Department has been participating for several years. Reports from the DEA show across the country around 335 tons of medication were collected during April’s Drug Take Back Day. After all medication is dropped off, the drugs are sent to a DEA disposal site. More information and more drop-off sites can be found online at dea.gov.