Sauk Rapids Police Department to Host Drug Take Back Day, Unveil Year-Round Drop Boxes

(KNSI) – The Sauk Rapids Police Department is making it easier for residents to safely dispose of unwanted medications and needles, through a special collection event this weekend and the addition of permanent drop boxes at the Government Center.

On Saturday, October 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the department will partner with American RX Group (ARXG) to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at city hall, 250 Summit Avenue North. Residents are invited to bring unwanted tablets, capsules, patches, and other prescription drugs for safe, anonymous disposal. Needle disposal will also be available during the event.

Liquids such as cough syrup should remain sealed in their original containers with caps left on tight to prevent leaks. Illegal drugs will not be accepted.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has been helping Americans clear their homes of unused medications for more than a decade, removing nearly 19.2 million pounds of prescription drugs from circulation nationwide.

Beyond the one-day event, the Sauk Rapids Police Department has installed two donated drop boxes at the Government Center. One is for medications and one for needles, often called sharps. The steel, vinyl-wrapped units will be unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, October 27th at 5:30 p.m.

The drop boxes will be available year-round during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Sauk Rapids Police Department has been collecting roughly 1,000 pounds of prescription medication annually and has previously shouldered the expense and logistics of securely storing and transporting those materials to destruction facilities. ARXG is covering the cost of shipment and destruction for materials collected in the units, reducing the department’s storage burden and handling costs.

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