Drug Take Back Day on South Shore Saturday

The South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition is collaborating with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office on the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in front of Lira's Supermarket in Meyers. Over the last two events on the South Shore, 100 pounds of unwanted prescription medication turned in to authorities.

South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Meyers and county residents can dispose of all unwanted, unused, or expired medications for free with no questions asked. No liquids or needles are accepted and residents are asked to remove all personal information from bottles before dropping off medications.

Drug Take Back events are the safest and most responsible way to dispose of unwanted and expired medication to protect your family and the environment. Every year nearly half a million kids under the age of 5 get into household prescription medications and result in poisonings. Without proper disposal, medications that are flushed can cause serious harm to the environment and leach chemicals into the water supply.

There is a permanent drug disposal bin in the South Tahoe Police Department lobby for anyone unable to attend the Take Back event who wishes to dispose of old medications. The South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition installed the box two years ago and it has been a very successful location as dozens of people have disposed of their medication in this box. There is also a box in the Douglas County Government Center in Stateline.

The Coalition recently received a grant from Barton Health to purchase locking medicine bags so children can't get to family member's medications in the home. They will be issued at local pharmacies.