Drug Take Back set for City Hall on Saturday, April 24

Free, no-questions-asked program set from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MELISSA (April 7, 2021) Melissa Police Officers are opening the doors of City Hall and asking residents to come by and drop off their unused, expired, and unwanted drugs and medications for proper disposal at no charge.

The Drug Take Back day is set for Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the lobby of City Hall, 3411 Barker Ave.

“We are accepting all drugs and medications, whether purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by medical professionals,” says Police Chief Duane Smith. “People are often at a loss over what to do with these chemicals, some of which can be toxic and dangerous. That’s why we put on these Drug Take Back events. By letting us properly dispose of these drugs and medications we ensure that these substances are removed from circulation, preventing them from being abused or discarded into our water supply.”  

The free service offers a no-charge, no-contact, no-questions-asked way to get rid of these substances safely. Officers will be monitoring the drop off receptacles to ensure the security of the process, proving a safe and protected way to dispose of these drugs.

Participants are encouraged to wear face coverings and enter the City Hall lobby through the main entry on the eastern side of the building, facing Hwy 5.

The program is not intended for illicit or illegal drugs or paraphernalia, and needles, syringes and pressurized inhalers will not be accepted.

“Unwanted drugs and medications need to be properly disposed of for many reasons, but especially to prevent them from being abused,” said Chief Smith. “Statistics from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency show that over 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers get them through friends or relatives right out of the family medicine cabinet.”

Also, people who flush prescription drugs down their toilets or sinks may be placing the community at risk since the contaminants may eventually find their way back into the community’s drinking water.

For more information on the program, residents may call the program’s coordinator, Officer Brandi Davidson at 972-838-1392 or via email at bdavidson@cityofmelissa.com.