Drug abuse evokes images of cocaine, pot, heroin and meth — but the most common type of overdose locally begins at the medicine cabinet, according to an Ellis County Sheriff’s detective.
And Detective Chuck White, also a member of the multi-agency Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit, is among the organizers fighting to get those prescription drugs off the streets.
The seventh annual National Takeback Day, conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26. Local law enforcement has participated all seven years of the program.
“It’s important community members have a way to dispose of unused or unwanted drugs,” he said, noting the rates of prescription drug abuse are “alarmingly high.”
As in years past, authorities will collect the drugs in the north lot of the Law Enforcement Center, and organizers have added a second location, as well — the front driveway of Good Samaritan Society, 27th and Canal.
The amount of drugs collected at the local takeback has increased each year. National, 3.4 million pounds of prescription drugs have been taken off the streets during the seven years of the program.
At last April’s takeback day, authorities collected 136 pounds of medicine for disposal.
White said pills, tablets, capsules and liquids in a sealed container can be turned in, however syringes cannot be accepted. Drugs can be left in their prescription containers or put into a single container such as a sandwich bag or grocery sack.
“It’s free and totally anonymous,” White said. “We’re not interested in knowing who the medicine belongs to or where it comes from.”
Many of those taking part in previous years are disposing of medicine unused by a deceased relative — sometimes by the trunkful.
“More often nowadays, people are being prescribed more drugs for more illnesses,” White said. “The word’s getting out, and the community really appreciates (the medicine disposal).”
But medicine used outside of the prescribed purpose is a growing problem, he said.
“Drugs are immediately available in the medicine cabinet, hallway closet. You don’t have to be involved in the drug trade or know a drug dealer,” White said. “There’s quite a market for it, pain
But the time-release nature of prescription drugs can make them more dangerous than many other illicit drugs, especially if smoked or injected, and can lead to overdose.
There also will be a fall prescription drug takeback, which usually is held in September.
The takebacks are organized by the Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit, which is made up of representatives from the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, Hays Police Department, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Ellis County Attorney’s Office.