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1,000 pounds of prescriptions collected in HoCo

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A Drug Take Back event in Howard County collected more than 1,000 pounds of unneeded or expired medication as part of the National Drug Take Back Day, Saturday.

For those who could not attend the event, the county is offering a new in-home drug deactivation system. The bags, which are filled with activated charcoal renders the drugs useless.

“Battling this opioid epidemic has required a multi-pronged approach and creative tactics. Distributing deactivation bags is another tool in the toolbox,” said County Executive Allan H. Kittleman.

Residents can also drop off medications year round at prescription drug disposal boxes at police stations, senior centers, the health department, and community events. 

Permanent drop-box locations include the Northern (Ellicott City) and Southern (Laurel) District Police Stations, which are available 24/7/365, and the Community Outreach Building (Columbia) and Gary Arthur Community Center (Glenwood), which are available during business hours. The Maryland State Police Waterloo Barrack (Jessup) also accepts medication for disposal.

“We want to stress the importance of destroying addictive, potentially deadly opioids and other prescription drugs sooner rather than later,” said Police Chief Gary Gardner. “Don’t let unused medication in your medicine cabinet fall into the wrong hands.”