Dayton, Nevada– Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties is partnering with Lyon County Sheriff’s Department and the DEA to sponsor a “Prescription Drug Disposal” at Smith’s Grocery in Dayton on Saturday, October 19 from 10am-2pm. The conveniently located event helps people bring unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and pet medicines for safe disposal.

Collecting expired and unused medications can prevent damage to the water supply that could result from flushing them down toilets and drains. The National Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stresses that such events also 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.”

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.

This publication was supported in whole or in part by the office of the Attorney General through Volkswagen Settlement Funds. Its contents are solely the responsibiltiy fot he author and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Attorney General’s office.