South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) is partnering with Area Substance and Alcohol Abuse Prevention (ASAAP), local pharmacies, the drug enforcement agency, and area law enforcement to encourage the public to rid their medicine cabinets of unwanted and expired pills. Unused medication poses a risk to children, adults, and pets by creating opportunities for accidental or intentional misuse. There are several easy ways to safely dispose of old pills. 

Prescription or over the counter pills can be taken to area law enforcement officials on Saturday, Oct. 28, National Drug Take Back Day, where they will be safely and anonymously destroyed. In the South Heartland District Health Department that includes: 

• Hastings Police Department, 10 a.m.­ to 2 p.m., drive through on east side, 317 S Burlington Ave. 

• Adams County Sheriff’s Office, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., north side of Adams County Courthouse 

• Clay County Sheriff’s Office in Clay Center (provides ongoing disposal all year) 

• Webster County Sheriff’s Office in Red Cloud (call first; also provides ongoing disposal all year) 

Pills can also be taken to a pharmacy for proper, safe disposal. For more information visit: https://www.nebraskameds.org/.  

One process to dispose of unused pills is to mix them with a substance called DisposeRx. This powder can be mixed with water in the pill bottle and renders the product unusable. The pills and the bottle can then be thrown in household trash. Directions for use of DisposeRx are simple and printed on the package of powder. Packages of DisposeRx are available at several locations within the district or at SHDHD. Contact the SHDHD office. 

Another option is to use an environmentally safe, no postage required, Takeaway bag. Directions inside the bag instruct on its safe use. SHDHD is providing these bags at their office at 606 N Minnesota in Hastings. 

Unused pills left in the home pose a public safety and public health threat. Medications in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug use are alarmingly high, as are accidental poisonings and overdoses. Studies show the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids Worldwide estimate 3 million people swallow or have contact with poisonous substance each year. Among young children, 95 percent of medication-related poisoning visits to emergency departments are caused by a child ingesting medication while unsupervised. Up to 20 percent of pediatric poisonings involve a grandparent’s medication. 

Parents and grandparents are urged to learn about how to store medication safely, give medications safely, and get rid of medications safely. 

In case of a poisoning emergency, contact Poison Control Center (800)222-1222.