On April 28, the Waukee Police Department opened its doors for four hours on a Saturday as part of the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Waukee residents dropped off 110 pounds of unwanted or expired medication; the drugs were then disposed of by the DEA.
"We really appreciate the effort residents took to rid their medicine cabinets of unused substances," said Waukee Police Chief John Quinn.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
The Waukee Police Department also has a Drug Drop-Box available in the lobby of the Waukee Public Safety Building, located at 1300 SE L.A. Grant Parkway. Prescription medications (no liquids or sharps, please) may be dropped in the box Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. with no questions asked.