Northeast News
April 23, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The Kansas City Police Department is partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to sponsor a drug take-back event this Saturday, April 26.

Law enforcement will be at CVS Pharmacy in Historic Northeast as well as other locations throughout the city from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to collect unused prescription and over-the-counter medicine. Those turning in the medicines won’t even have to get out of their cars as they will be able to just hand the drugs over to police, no questions asked.

Police will not track who turns in what. All forms of medicine (liquids and pills) will be accepted, with the exception of needles. The D.E.A. plan to incinerate the drugs. Last October, the KCPD collected 770 pounds of drugs, more than any other city in Missouri. Turning in unwanted and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications to police is the safest and most environmentally friendly way to dispose of them.

Law enforcement do not advise throwing pills and other drugs in the garbage because it can be salvaged. Detective Donie Hoffman said there’s a misconception that if you put prescription medication in cat litter, it will degrade it.

“That’s not true,” Hoffman said. “If you flush it down the toilet, it gets into our water and ecosystem.”

The Kansas City, Mo., locations where people can drop off the drugs include:

· CVS Pharmacy – 2435 Independence Ave.

· Shoal Creek Patrol Division – 6801 NE Pleasant Valley Rd.

· MainCor Parking Lot – 3215 Main St.

· Hen House – 6430 N. Chatham

· Price Chopper – 8430 Wornall

· CVS Pharmacy – 11124 Holmes

· North Patrol Division – 1001 NW Barry Rd.