KATY [March 29, 2019] – The Katy ISD Police Department in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public an opportunity to safely dispose of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications. According to the DEA, pharmaceutical drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision. Needles or sharp objects will not be accepted and any liquids must be in prescribed containers. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
“The Prescription Drug Take Back initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said Katy ISD Police Chief Robert Jinks. “Families could be harboring dangerous prescription drugs in their own medicine cabinet without even knowing it. This event allows residents to have a better and safe option to dispose of these items,” added Jinks.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Last April, Americans turned in 309 tons (over 617,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 5,500 sites operated by the DEA.
What: National Prescription Drug Take Back Event
Where: Mark L. Hopkins Law Enforcement Center
20370 Franz Road
Katy, TX 77449
When: Saturday, April 27, 2019
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Contact: Maria Corrales-DiPetta, Manager for Media Relations & Multimedia
281-396-2298