Drug take-back day in Maryville

Every six months, Maryville Public Safety takes part in Drug Take-Back Day, an effort to clean medicine cabinets of unused prescriptions.

The program is held in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Public Safety has held local collections for roughly five years, and Sergeant Wayne WIlson said that it has been a big success.

In the collection earlier this year, Wilson said the department collected well over 100 pounds of of unused, unwanted or expired medicine.

Collections aren't limited to prescription medicines, and Public Safety will accept any form of drugs, no questions asked.

The concern and the need to properly dispose of the prescription is mainly for safety reasons.

Wilson said people are very happy to have the opportunity.

"Quite often people say they don't know what to do with the medicine," Wilson said. "They are grateful because they don't want to just flush them or throw them out with the trash."

Saturday's event netted 41 pounds. Another event will be scheduled some time next spring.