Today @ Colorado State

Health / Safety

CSU participates in nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

September 17, 2012

Local law enforcement and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public another opportunity to properly dispose of unused, unneeded, and expired prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Area drop off locations will be held at the following sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous.

• Fort Collins Police Services, 2221 S. Timberline Road
• Colorado State University, Green Hall, 750 S. Meridian Ave.
• Estes Park (Contact Estes Park Police Department for location)
• Loveland Police Department, 810 E. 10^th St.
• Wellington Fire Station #1, 8130 3^rd Street
• Windsor Police collection point, 200 N. 11^th
•  Red Feather Fire Station at 44 Firehouse Lane

Last April, more than 552,161 pounds—276 tons—of prescription drugs were collected at more than 5,600 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,300 state and local law enforcement partners.  In its four previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in more than 1.5 million pounds—nearly 775 tons—of pills. 

Information on environmentally sound medication disposable methods that minimize opportunities for misuse and protect the environment will be present at the Fort Collins collection site.  Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can cause pollution of lakes, streams and water supplies and pose potential safety and health hazards.

Due to potential health hazards, the following items will not be accepted:

• intravenous solutions,
• injectables,
• syringes,
• mercury (thermometers),
• oxygen containers,
• chemotherapy/radioactive substances,
• pressurized canisters
• and illicit drugs. 

Law enforcement officers will be present with the drug disposal box at all times. At the conclusion of the event, the boxes will be sealed and turned over to the DEA for proper disposal.  All drugs will be incinerated according to federal and state environmental guidelines. 

For additional information about the event, contact Lt. Greg Yeager, Northern Colorado Drug Task Force, 970-416-2185.      

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Contact: Dell Rae Moellenberg
E-mail: dellrae.moellenberg@colostate.edu
Phone: (970) 491-6009