Northland Residents Contribute to Success of National Prescription Take Back Day

Excelsior Springs, Gladstone, Kansas City, Liberty, North Kansas City, Richmond and Smithville Among Communities that Participated

Thanks to the partnership of several Northland agencies there are almost 500 pounds of unused prescription and over the counter drugs that will be kept out of our water supply and the reach of potential abusers.

Since 2009 the Northland Coalition, with the support of Tri-County Mental Health Services, has partnered with the DEA, Missouri’s Association of Community Task Forces (ACT MO), law enforcement agencies and other communities across the country to encourage the responsible disposal of prescriptions and keep them out of the hands of young people and adults who would abuse them.

While the Coalition has assisted in establishing several permanent drop off sites at law enforcement locations throughout the Northland, April 28 was designated as National Take Back Prescription Day and a special emphasis was placed on reaching the community about this national concern.

The event was an outstanding success. Following is a listing of designated drop box sites and the number of pounds of unused prescriptions collected at each location:
Police Department sites:
Excelsior Springs 36 pounds

Gladstone 48 pounds

Kansas City-North Patrol 221 pounds

Kansas City-Shoal Creek 77 pounds

Liberty 20 pounds

North Kansas City 25 pounds

Richmond 22 pounds

Smithville 50 pounds

Tri-County Mental Health Prevention Manager Vicky Ward, who coordinates the Northland Coalition, said communities are encouraged to continue to utilize the drop box sites permanently available,

“The Northland has not escaped the growing challenge of the abuse of prescription drugs,” Ward said. “We appreciate the partnership we have with the local police departments to make our communities safer by making it convenient for people to safely dispose of unused medications.”

For further information about the Take Back program or prescription drug abuse, visit www.northlandcoalition.com or contact Ward at (816) 877-0411.

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