City of Arvada Hosted Prescription Drug Drop Off Site

The City of Arvada joined the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and community, public health and law enforcement partners to participate in a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative.  This program seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft.  DEA collected potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at sites nationwide on Saturday, September 25^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.  The service was free and anonymous, no questions asked. 

The drive-thru Arvada drop-off location will be behind Arvada City Hall located at 8101 Ralston Rd. from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 25^th.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. 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 increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.  

“By participating in the first-ever National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, we will reduce the risk of accidental poisoning, misuse and abuse of prescription drugs,” said Jeffrey D. Sweetin, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of this program, which will make our homes and communities a safer place to live.” 

Arvada officials want to ensure our water supply is kept safe through the drug giveback program. 

Collection sites across Colorado can be found by going to www.dea.gov.  This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations.  Other Colorado participants in this initiative include the Office of the Colorado Attorney General, the Prescription Drug Abuse Program’s RxDrugsNotYoursNotSafe.org, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Waste Management.