Lakeport Police Department participates in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department on Saturday took part in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, part of an ongoing effort to remove harmful drugs from the community.
The agency reported that the event was very successful.
“We had a steady stream of community members coming throughout the event and we collected over 97 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Many of these drugs were dangerous controlled substances including opioids,” reported Chief Brad Rasmussen.
When not properly disposed of, unused and expired prescription drugs have a high potential to be diverted for abuse, are dangerous to children and harmful to the environment.
Rasmussen said Saturday’s event wrapped up four months of collection by the department of more than 248 pounds of prescription drugs from the community.
At the start of January, the department began offering a safe medication disposal collection site that was donated by the Rite Aid Foundation KidCents Project, as Lake County News has reported.
Lakeport Police Staff will transport the drugs it has collected out of county to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which will properly destroy them along with those collected by other police agencies across the United States, Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen thanked Evidence Technician Tammy Prather and Det. Dale Stoebe for running the event and managing the department’s Take Back program.
He also thanked the many local organizations including news, radio and community groups that advertised Saturday’s event over the past several weeks.
“Lastly, we thank the community members who took advantage of the event. Everyone working together leads to a safer community,” Rasmussen said.