KRTV

Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:44 PM
Updated: Mar 21, 2010 12:47 AM

Unwanted prescription drugs were collected today by Great Falls health and law enforcement officials.

The City County Health Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Great Falls Police Department and Great Falls Fire Rescue sponsored the city's second drug take-back event.

People were able to bring in old and unwanted prescriptions to be disposed of free of charge.

Organizers say it's important to properly dispose of prescription drugs, so they don't end up in the wrong hands.

Talia Schmidt of CCHD noted, "Substance abuse is a really big problem in Cascade County. Six out of ten teens say that it's really easy to access their parents medicines cabinets and grab whatever is in there, and a lot of times it's hard narcotics and we are just doing this to provide people a safe space."

Today an estimated 45 pounds of drugs were collected, compared to 30 pounds last December.

The Great Falls Police Department will incinerate the drugs tomorrow.

(March 18, 2010) This Saturday there is an opportunity to safely get rid of your old or unwanted prescription drugs.

The City-County Health Department, the Montana Highway Patrol, the Great Falls Police Department, and Great Falls Fire Rescue are having a prescription drug take-back event. 

People can bring in old prescriptions to be disposed of free of charge.

Organizers say it is a safe alternative to throwing the prescriptions into the trash, where they could be accessible to children or pets.

The drug takeback will take place at all four fire stations in town, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.