DRUG TAKE BACK: The City of Longview, Texas Police Department is having a “Prescription Drug Take Back” Day … Today from 10am to 2pm You can drop off your old medications at 302 W. Cotton Street in Downtown Longview. Officer Jeff Hall with the Longview Police Department explains more.
OFFICER HALL: "We've partnered with Partners in Prevention, and Coalition For a Drug-Free Youth to implement a 'Drug Take Back Day' this month. It's part of an initiative to reduce accessibility to opioids, establish a cleaner environment, and prevent criminal activity.
RED RIVER RADIO: Is this the first event of its kind or have you done other events like this?
OFFICER HALL: "We have done it twice a year for the last couple of years until we got a permanent location installed at the police department lobby where citizens can come 365 days a year to drop off their prescriptions there at the police department."
RED RIVER RADIO: So this event that's taking place today is to highlight the fact that you have this service in place so people can bring their prescriptions in anytime of the year?
OFFICER HALL: "It is, we're encouraging citizens to kind of 'spring clean' their medicine cabinets for any unused, expired, or unwanted prescription drugs and bring them to the police department for disposal.
RED RIVER RADIO: So if someone's thinking about disposing of their drugs, they can do so anonymously without fear of having any questions asked, is that right?
OFFICER HALL: "That's correct, the only thing we ask is that you don't bring any liquids or any sharps or needles."
RED RIVER RADIO: So give me some idea of how much you collect when you hold these drug take-back events.
OFFICER HALL: "We did it twice a year at different locations but we would collect several hundred pounds of prescription narcotics. We would load up an entire (Chevy) Tahoe full of these white boxes and I guarantee you there were 20 or 25 of them. So it was a lot."
RED RIVER RADIO: So if anyone has any questions, is there a contact number?
OFFICER HALL: "They can contact the Longview Police Department at (903) 237-1170
You can drop off your old medications at the Longview Police Department today or any time of the year at 302 W. Cotton Street in Downtown Longview.
