Central ND News

Staff from Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and the Bismarck Police Department will hold a Take Back Event on Wednesday, October 29, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at the AgeWell Center, previously known as the Burleigh County Senior Center, located at 315 N. 20th St., Bismarck.

The purpose of the event is to provide area residents with a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications. The initiative also seeks to educate the public about the risks associated with medication misuse and abuse, while protecting the environment.

Susan Kahler, substance abuse prevention coordinator at Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, said, “Prescription opioid abuse and overdose is a growing concern in North Dakota. Unused medications are a public health and safety concern. The Take Back program offers residents an easy, convenient way to dispose of medications—keeping them out of the wrong hands and helping protect the environment.”

Accepted items at the event include unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications such as pills, tablets, caplets (which should be removed from packaging), inhalers, nebulizer solutions, liquids and creams (to be left in original containers), controlled substances, pain relievers (including Vicodin, hydrocodone, Demerol, OxyContin, fentanyl), antidepressants (such as Valium, Zoloft, Prozac), and sleep aids (like Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). Items that will not be accepted include sharps (syringes, lancets), thermometers, glass, home-based care or durable medical equipment supplies, pharmacy inventory, and cancer medications. Residents are encouraged to ask their pharmacists about safe disposal options for these items.

Bismarck Police Officer Caity Horne emphasized the importance of proper drug disposal: “Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the community. Access is a key risk factor for abuse and addiction of prescription opioids. The fewer unused or expired medications available, the fewer drugs there are to be misused—and the fewer people at risk for abuse, addiction, overdose or even death.”

The Take Back program began in December 2009. North Dakota now operates two free programs for residents to safely dispose of unwanted medications: the Take Back program at law enforcement agencies and the MedSafe program at pharmacies. North Dakota is unique as the only state to offer free, year-round statewide drug disposal programs at both local law enforcement agencies and pharmacies. A full list of permanent Take Back locations is available at https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/public-safety/take-back-program/take-back-program-locations.

This event is part of a prevention strategy supported by the State Opioid Res Grant and the Burleigh-Morton Behavioral Health Coalition’s Prevention/Education Subcommittee.