Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Southlake Police Department Launches new Drug Take Back Program

UPDATE: SLPD’s DRUG TAKE BACK PROGRAM COLLECTS 89 POUNDS OF Rx AND UNUSED MEDICATIONS SINCE ITS PROGRAM BEGAN.

The Southlake Police Department began its prescription drug take back program in May of 2013. The programs allows residents to deposit unused prescription medication into a safe that is in the lobby of DPS HQ in order to keep the medications out of the hands of young people and others who might abuse the medications. Since the program’s inception, SLPD has collected 89 lbs of prescription and non-prescription medication in order to keep our community safe and reduce the abuse of prescription drugs in our city.

The Southlake Police Department is taking proactive steps to help parents and residents rid their homes of dangerous prescription drugs. Individuals may now drop off prescription medications Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the lobby of our DPS Headquarters located at 600 State Street.

We’ve made the process simple and easy to use. Instructions for disposing of medications are posted above the secure disposal safe in the lobby near the front desk. Southlake’s Drug Take Back program is anonymous and no requests for identification or personal information will be made.

Instructions:

  • Participants may dispose of pill-form medication in its original container and liquid prescriptions, such as cough syrup, should remain in its original bottle.  Please make sure the lid is tightly sealed to avoid spillage.
  • No illicit drugs or substances such as marijuana or methamphetamines will be accepted.
  • Intravenous solutions and syringes will not be accepted during this initiative due to potential blood-borne hazards.
  • No inhalers, needles or sharp objects, such as Lancets, are allowed.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1 in 9 teens have abused prescription drugs. Often these medications are found in the home. One of the Southlake Police Department’s goals is to help reduce teenaged drug abuse. “This new program provides a safe and secure prescription and medication disposal site that’s easily accessible for citizens and offers convenient times for them to drop off unused medications,” said Police Chief Steve Mylett.

Similar to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s once a year initiative known as “National Drug Take Back Day,” the Southlake program will allow residents to drop off dangerous and unused prescriptions 5 days a week.  Parents and adults can do their part by ridding their homes of dangerous prescription drugs by cleaning out their medicine cabinets and safely disposing of them at DPS Headquarters.

This new program provides a proactive partnership with Southlake citizens and the Police Department – working to make our community safer. The Prescription Medicine Secure Disposal Program is available to all Southlake residents.

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