For the 10th year, local and federal agencies will be collecting unused or unwanted prescription drugs as part of the latest drug roundup event.
Since the area’s first event in the fall of 2009, the roundups in Washoe County have collected over 2.3 million prescription pills from community members, and safely disposed of them. Over 300,000 of those pills were types that are commonly diverted and abused, such as opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants.
Citizens are asked to bring medications in their original containers if possible, and may mark out the patient’s name from the label if they wish.
Round Up Locations, October 19th 10:00am – 2:00pm:
*Raleys - 18144 Wedge Parkway, Reno
* Smith’s – 750 South Meadows Parkway, Reno
* Reno Elk’s Lodge – 597 Kumle Ln, Reno
* Walmart - 5260 W 7th St, Reno (at Mae Anne/McCarran)
* Smith’s – 175 Lemmon Drive, Reno
* Smith’s - 1255 Baring Blvd, Sparks
For those not able to make it to the Roundup event, permanent prescription drug drop boxes are available at local police departments, as well as some local pharmacies. Law enforcement would like to remind the community that these drop boxes only accept pills; they do not accept liquids or needles. For information about how to dispose of needles, please contact Northern Nevada HOPES at 786-4673.
The drug drop boxes are available during regular business hours at the following locations:
• Reno Police Department – 455 E. 2nd Street, Reno
• Sparks Police Department – 1701 East Prater Way, Sparks
• Washoe County Sheriff’s Office – 911 Parr Blvd., Reno
• University of Nevada Reno Police Department – 1664 N. Virginia Street, Bldg. 82, Reno
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, you are encouraged to call Peter Beagen, Prevention & Education Coordinator for the Reno Police Department at 657-4797.
(Reno Police contributed to this report.)
