HELENA – State officials and law enforcement always encourage people to dispose of unneeded prescription drugs. A new Helena pharmacy is helping to make that disposal a quick and easy process.
On Friday,Capital Rx will be holding a Drug Take Back Day at its location on Winne Avenue, where Bergum Drug used to be.
The pharmacy provides a “MedSafe,” in which customers can drop off prescription drugs.
“It’s just a safe and responsible way to get rid of prescription drugs,” said Shelbi Frieling, a pharmacist at the facility. “If you’re not using them, you don’t need them in your med cabinet.”
The MedSafe keeps drugs from finding their way into wastewater systems, landfills or the hands of people who might abuse them.
It does cost Capital Rx money to dispose of the drugs, but owner Matt Mills says they’re proud to offer the service to the community for free if it gets the unused medication disposed of properly.
“It’s a safe disposal, just get them out of people’s houses. So it makes it safer for the environment, safer for families, so they’re not having old medications laying around,” said Mills.
If people miss Friday’s event, they will still be able to drop off their unneeded medication at Capital Rx during regular business hours.
On Saturday, April 27, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be holding National Take Back Day to encourage people to responsibly dispose of any unused or expired prescription drugs.
The DEA says millions of Americans misuse prescription drugs each year, with the majority of abusers obtaining those drugs from friends or family members.
A list of drop-off locations can be found on the DEA Take Back Day website.
-Reported by John Riley/MTN News
