OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Area police departments and pharmacies took part in the nationwide effort to "take back" unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
The DEA encouraged everyone to remove prescription pain pills they no longer need from medicine cabinets, so they don't get into the wrong hands.
Charles Kaup, the Director of Nebraska Prevention Services, says more than 1,800 pounds of prescription drugs were collected at six of the seven Omaha drop-off sites Saturday.
People were able to drop off pharmaceuticals at 7 Hy-Vee and Walgreens locations in Omaha.
The Sarpy County Sheriff's office also reports the community filled 16 boxes of old medications for a total weight of 428.5 pounds.
Everything was collected during a three-hour period at the Papillion Hy-Vee.
Bellevue Police also collected more than three hundred pounds.
Today’s drug take back event was another success. Thanks everyone for bringing in a total of 388.6 pounds of unwanted medications. That’s 388.6 pounds of medications that will not end up being ingested by children or in our water supply. Tweeted by @Lt_Jashinske pic.twitter.com/3aIiSoop9h
— Bellevue Police (@BellevuePolice) April 27, 2019
The Plattsmouth Senior Center also served as a medication drop-off.
The DEA took pills and patches.
The drive also aims to keep medications from ending up in landfills or the water supply. An incinerator is typically used to dispose of the drugs.
Last Fall, 8 collection sites in Omaha collected nearly 1,400 pounds of medication.
