Prescription Drug Roundup enables public to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs

WASHOE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE – The public will have an opportunity to dispose of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs during a Prescription Drug Roundup from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, April 27, at the following Reno locations: Walgreens, 10370 N. McCarran Boulevard; Save Mart, 565 East Prater Way;  Walmart, 4855 Kietzke Lane; Walmart, 5065 Pyramid Way;  Raley’s, 18144 Wedge Parkway; Raley’s, 930 Tahoe Boulevard (Incline Village); Scolari’s, 8165 S. Virginia Street;  and,  Smith’s, 750 S. Meadows Parkway.

Medications can be dropped off at the Roundup locations with no questions asked. Please bring medications in their original containers if possible, and feel free to mark out the patient’s name. Prescription Drug Roundups are a collaborative effort by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, DEA, Join Together Northern Nevada and many other community partners to address a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that remain in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses caused by these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends.

Those dropping off medications will receive educational materials, as well as a free MedSafe locking medicine cabinet (limited supply available) to safely store their medications in the future. In addition, volunteers from Northern Nevada HOPES will be collecting residential sharps and providing information to the community about proper syringe disposal.

For those not able to make it to the Roundup event, permanent prescription drug drop boxes are available at local police departments and the Sheriff’s Office. These drop boxes can accept prescription pills but do not accept liquids or needles, these items can be brought to the Roundup on April 27. The drop boxes are available during regular business hours at the following locations:

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office – 911 Parr Boulevard, Reno
Reno Police Department – 455 E. 2nd Street, Reno
Sparks Police Department – 1701 East Prater Way, Sparks

Additional information on the proper disposal of unused or unwanted prescription drugs can be located at www.jtnn.org. If you have any questions regarding the Roundup event or the drop boxes, contact Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Lieutenant Teresa Aquila at 775-240-2308 or Stacy Ward, Prevention & Education Coordinator for the Reno Police Department at 775-657-4794.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 25th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process, traditional street patrols and Regional Animal Services.