National Drug Take Back Event One This Weekend

The Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) first of two annual events to remind the nation of the dangers of unused prescriptions is this weekend.

The DEA National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday from 10:00 am  to 2:00 pm with several activities going on in the Lakes Region.

The Taney County Adapt Coalition will have four locations set-up in the area. Drop-off locations will be at Walgreens in Branson and Hollister, Lakeland Pharmacy in Branson, and at the Kimberling City Police Department. Marietta Hagen and Shelly Marlow from TCAC talked about the area events on KRZK's "Ozarks Now" program, stating that the event is as much about awareness as it is dropping off unused medications. The two said the dangers range from leading to addiction for those that use them to possible medical issues for the consumption of medications not prescribed for that individual to the disposing of the medications improperly leading to ecological hazards.

Another area event will happen in Harrison, as the Boone County Resource Council will team-up with the Harrison Police Department for an event at City Hall. Kyle Evatt discussed the Harrison event on KHOZ's "Around the Table" program. Evatt echoed a reminder that was discussed by Hagan and Marlow that Drug Take Back Boxes are available at many Law Enforcement Facilities year-round 24 hours a day. 

The DEA Takeback Event Website has information about events across the country while more information on the local events can be found on the Around the Table and Ozarks Now Facebook Pages. 

A live broadcast from the Take Back Event at Walgreens in Branson can be heard on MY 100.1.