Waite Park Police Department Holding Drug Take Back Day Sunday, October 8th

Originally published September 28th, 2023 5:28 p.m.

Updated October 6th, 2023 11:44 a.m.

(KNSI) – Waite Park’s police department and local churches are coming together to get unused prescription medications away from the wrong hands without harming the environment.

The WPPD’s drug take-back day is Sunday morning, October 8th, at St. Joseph’s Church, Reborn Lao Lutheran Church and Apostolic Pentecostal Church.

Community Outreach Specialist Alicia Mages explained how to participate. “It’s open to the public as well. We’re not going to be inside the church, but you can drive up, and you can bring your unwanted expired medications. And a police officer will take them, make sure that they’re properly handled and then they will be disposed of properly.”

She says you don’t have to do anything ahead of time. Just bring the medication in its container. “No need to take the pills out of the bottles, no need to take the labels off. They are incinerated, so that’ll all be gone. And they’re only handled by law enforcement.”

Officials say burning the medication is better for the environment than flushing pills down the toilet, where they end up in the water system.

Police say sometimes people with painkillers or other medication sitting around are targeted by thieves breaking into houses.

If you can’t make it to this event, there is a medication drop box at the Waite Park Police Department and throughout Stearns County.

To find a location, click here.

National Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for October 28th.

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