Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI), a drug abuse prevention group that serves the counties of Burt, Cuming, Madison and Stanton in Nebraska, recently held a medication drug take back event at the PATCH Health Fair in Norfolk. A total of thirty pounds of expired or unused prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications were turned over to a Norfolk police officer at the HCI booth in a two hour period. Properly disposing of excess or unused drugs is everyone’s responsibility as a matter of public safety.
Norfolk citizens no longer have to wait for a drug take back event to clean out their medicine cabinets. Healthy Communities Initiative has partnered with the Norfolk Police Division and a permanent MedReturn box has been placed in the lobby of the Norfolk Police Division (202 N. Seventh Street). Medications can be dropped off 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Certain items are not accepted by the MedReturn Unit and a list is provided on the MedReturn Drug Collection Unit.
The MedReturn Drug Collection Unit helps Healthy Communities Initiative support their mission of supporting activities which focus on reducing and preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse and misuse. The MedReturn Unit is a safe and environmentally friendly way of disposing of unused medications that can potentially harm teens and adults.
Funding for the MedReturn Drug Collection Unit was provided by Drug Free Communities grant funds.
For more information about the programs or to get involved with Healthy Communities Initiative, please call Kathy Becker, HCI Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator at 402-529-2233.