Operation Medicine Cabinet safely disposes of unused meds

Program safely disposes of unused meds

Zach White

Thirty-three Montana communities — including two in Blaine County — have joined more than 3,400 across the country as a part of a prescription drug disposal program called National Take-Back Day this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The closest collection points to Havre are at the Chinook Senior Citizens Center and Harlem City Hall.

Neither of these communities participated in a June collection coordinated by the state attourney general.

The director of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, said this program is an "indispensable tool" in helping curb prescription drug abuse.

"The federal, state and local collaboration represented in this initiative is key in our national efforts to reduce pharmaceutical drug diversion and abuse," Kerlikowske said.

In Montana, National Take-Back Day has become a part of the Department of Justice's Operation Medicine Cabinet.

The state program collected unwanted pharmaceuticals last on June 5. That collection gathered 1,330 pounds of prescription drugs from 28 communities across the state.

Havre participated in June and collected 46 pounds, the 10th highest contribution.

The Havre Police Deparment is not participating in this weekend's roundup.

"We elected not to participate in this one because we just had one," Police Chief Jerry Nystrom said, "and did well with it."

Saturday's program is a joint effort between several federal entities, including the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, state governments and local police departments and community groups.

More information about collection places and times, as well as instruction on individual disposal, can be found at http://www.invisibleepidemic.com.

Thirty-three Montana communities — including two in Blaine County — have joined more than 3,400 across the country as a part of a prescription drug disposal program called National Take-Back Day this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The closest collection points to Havre are at the Chinook Senior Citizens Center and Harlem City Hall.

Neither of these communities participated in a June collection coordinated by the state attourney general.

The director of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, said this program is an "indispensable tool" in helping curb prescription drug abuse.

"The federal, state and local collaboration represented in this initiative is key in our national efforts to reduce pharmaceutical drug diversion and abuse," Kerlikowske said.

In Montana, National Take-Back Day has become a part of the Department of Justice's Operation Medicine Cabinet.

The state program collected unwanted pharmaceuticals last on June 5. That collection gathered 1,330 pounds of prescription drugs from 28 communities across the state.

Havre participated in June and collected 46 pounds, the 10th highest contribution.

The Havre Police Deparment is not participating in this weekend's roundup.

"We elected not to participate in this one because we just had one," Police Chief Jerry Nystrom said, "and did well with it."

Saturday's program is a joint effort between several federal entities, including the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, state governments and local police departments and community groups.

More information about collection places and times, as well as instruction on individual disposal, can be found at http://www.invisibleepidemic.com.