Dayton, Nevada – The nonprofit Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties is partnering with Lyon County Sheriff’s Department and the DEA to sponsor a “Prescription Drug Round Up” at Smith’s Grocery in Dayton on Saturday, October 20th from 9am-1pm. The conveniently located Round Up helps people bring unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal.

Collecting expired and unused medications can prevent damage to the water supply that would otherwise result from flushing them down toilets and drains. The National Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stresses that such events help address a vital public safety and public health issue. They explain that “many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.”

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, Lyon County Sheriff’s Department officers will be on hand to accept old and unused prescription medications.at Smith’s at 2200 Highway 50 East in Dayton.

Acceptable items are unused/expired prescription drugs, non-prescription pills, prescription liquids, and pet medications.

Unacceptable items are: institutional or business waste, sharps, and latex gloves.

For more information, call Healthy Communities at (775) 246-7550.

Supported in part by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Bureau of Behavioral Health Wellness and Prevention, through State General Funds and/or the federal Substance Abuse Block Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).