Prescription Drug “Take Back” Event Scheduled

On Saturday, April 24, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will host a “Take Back Day” initiative at the Indiana National Guard Armory located at 3300 E. Division Street.

The public can drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at collection sites which will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.

The Sheriff’s Office and the DEA will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop off locations provided lithium batteries are removed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period. The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.

The collection site will be operating at the entrance of the National Guard Armory from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 24.

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