Red Oak PD working to collect unused prescription drugs

RED OAK — The Red Oak Police Department is taking additional steps to help keep harmful, unused medications out of the hands of children as well as out of the environment. Open Source Research shows that every day 2,500 kids abuse prescription drugs for the first time. Seventy percent of people who abuse prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends or relatives.

Currently, many unwanted or expired household and prescription medications are being flushed down toilets or being placed in the garbage. Both of these methods have damaging effects on our environment and contaminate our water supply. The Red Oak Police Department believes that we need a year round drug disposing method that would provide a source for proper disposal of unwanted or expired household and prescription medications. Based on our aforementioned beliefs, we have placed a secured container in the lobby of the Red Oak Police Department.

The Red Oak Police Department’s Drug Collection Unit provides a safe, sustainable and secure method to dispose of unwanted or expired household medicines or prescription medication. There has been a great response from the Red Oak community during our Drug Take Back events that have been coordinated with the D.E.A. The Red Oak Police Department is committed to continuing to offer these services as well as now providing a 24 hr 7 day a week - no questions asked-disposal option.