Residents in Washoe County will have nine locations where they can drop off unused or expired prescription medications for safe disposal during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is being organized by Join Together Northern Nevada in collaboration with law enforcement and local organizations, including Northern Nevada Public Health and Truckee Meadows Water Authority. The event is intended to provide a safe and convenient way to dispose of medications while reducing the risks associated with unused drugs in homes and the environment.
Improper disposal can allow medications to reach the water supply when they are flushed down drains. Unused prescriptions can also be accidentally taken by children or pets, creating risks for misuse and health problems.
The event has added two new collection sites this year: Safeway on Vista Boulevard and Raley’s at 3310 S. McCarran Boulevard. That brings the total to nine locations across the area.
In Reno, drop-off locations are:
Raley’s, 18144 Wedge Parkway
Raley’s, 1630 Robb Drive
Raley’s, 3310 S. McCarran Boulevard
Reno Elks Lodge, 597 Kumle Lane
Smith’s, 175 Lemmon Drive
Smith’s, 750 South Meadows Parkway
In Sparks, locations are:
Smith’s, 1255 Baring Boulevard
Safeway, 2858 Vista Boulevard, in partnership with Sparks Elks
The Reno Sparks Indian Colony Smoke Shop at 7655 Pyramid Way in Sparks is also listed as a collection location under Spanish Springs.
Community members can bring unused or expired prescription medications with no questions asked. Law enforcement officials will be on site, and the medications will later be collected by the Drug Enforcement Administration for disposal.
Sharps and inhalers will not be accepted at the event. Sharps can be dropped off at the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Northern Nevada Hopes on West 5th Street, or Northern Nevada Public Health. Inhalers can be taken to Waste Management or participating pharmacies.
The event is supported by Join Together Northern Nevada, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Northern Nevada Public Health and other community, health care and business organizations.
Residents outside Washoe County can visit the DEA website to find a collection site near them. More information about the local event and additional drop-off locations is available through Join Together Northern Nevada at www.jtnn.org or (775) 324-7557.
