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South Dakota turns in more prescriptions than last year on Take Back Day

SDPB

Prescription drug take-back day happens twice a year. This spring, South Dakotans turned in hundreds more pounds of unwanted clinical drugs over last year, officials said.

South Dakota turned in 300 pounds more than last year’s spring take-back day.

The DEA Omaha division includes the state of South Dakota. Public information officer Emily Murray said it was a big return for the Upper Midwest.

“We really did have a good turnout this year," Murray said. "We were pleased to collect more than 18,000 – close to 19,000 pounds – of unwanted and unused medications just across the Omaha division. We do consider any time we can get those drugs out of the cabinets and out of homes a success.”

Murray reminded the importance of responsible drug use.

“Prescription drugs should only be taken by the individual they are prescribed for," Murray said. "So, only take a medication that is prescribed by your doctor and filled at your pharmacy. If you purchase any medication online, you are really taking your life into your own hands.”

And leaving unwanted drugs in your home, particularly those like opiates, could make you a target for burglaries.

“People have gone to medicine cabinets, whether its for their loved ones or, unfortunately, broken in because they knew someone had an oxycodone or a hydrocodone, or another controlled substance in their medicine cabinets," Murray said. "Prescription drug Take Back Day started several years ago as a way for people to rid their homes of unwanted and unused medications.”

The next Take Back Day is scheduled for October.

C.J. Keene is a Rapid City-based journalist covering the legal system, education, and culture