Bismarck - Burleigh Public Health ( BBPH ) and Bismarck Police Department will host a Take Back Event Wednesday May 25th , 2022 , from 8:30 A . M . to 11:30 A . M . at the Burleigh County Senior Center , 315 N . 20th St . Bismarck ND .
   This Take Back Event aims to provide a safe , convenient , and responsible means of disposing prescription drugs while educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications . This Take Back Event will allow area residents to properly dispose of unused and unwanted over - the - counter and prescription medications preventing drug diversion and misuse in addition to protecting the environment . “Prescription opioid abuse and overdose is a growing concern in North Dakota , ” said Susan Kahler , BBPH Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator . “Unused medications are a public health and safety concern . The Take Back program provides residents with an easy and convenient way to dispose of unused and unwanted over - the - counter and prescription medications , to protect the environment and keep drugs off the streets and into the wrong hands . ”
   The following unused or expired prescriptions and over - the - counter medications items will be accepted at the Take Back event:
   Pills , tablets , caplets ( remove product from the packaging )
   Inhalers , nebulizer solutions , liquids and creams ( leave in the original container )
   Controlled substances
   Pain relief such as Vicodin , Hydrocodone , Demerol , OxyContin , fentanyl , etc .
   Anti - depressants such as Valium , Zoloft , Prozac , etc .
   Sleep aids , such as Ambien , Lunesta , Sonata , etc .
   The following items will not be accepted at this Take Back event:
   Sharps ( syringes , lancets ) , thermometers , glass , home - based care ( HBC ) or durable medical equipment ( DME ) supplies , and pharmacy inventory . Residents are encouraged to ask their pharmacists where to safely dispose of these items .
   Cancer medications
   “Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the community , ” said Bismarck Police Officer , Caity Horne . “Access is a key risk factor for abuse and addiction of prescription opioid medication . If we reduce the accessibility of unused or expired medications , the fewer drugs there are to be misused , and fewer people will be at risk for abuse , addiction , overdose , and even death . ”
   The Take Back program was launched in December 2009 . North Dakota now offers two free programs for residents to dispose of unwanted medications – the Take Back program at participating law enforcement agencies and the MedSafe program at participating pharmacies . North Dakota is the only state in the nation operating free , year - round , statewide prescription drug disposal programs at local law enforcement agencies and pharmacies . To view a list of all permanent Take Back locations throughout North Dakota , visit http://attorneygeneral . nd . gov/public - safety/take - back - program/take - back - program - locations .
   This takeback event is a prevention strategy implemented through the State Opioid Response Grant and the Burleigh - Morton Behavioral Health Coalition , Prevention/Education Subcommittee .
   About the City of Bismarck: Bismarck’s the spot for people who enjoy living , learning , working and playing in a city with an enduring community pride . We embrace our rich heritage , economic opportunity and lifelong learning to cultivate a healthy and sustainable environment fostering opportunity for all .
   

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