Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet for Drug Takeback Day
LOCAL EVENT
Saturday, October 29th is National Drug Takeback Day. Mesa County residents are encouraged to get rid of their unwanted or expired medications to keep kids and adults from misusing them. People may do so safely at several locations in the Grand Valley.
BACKGROUND
Prescription drug use and misuse is an issue that impacts residents of all ages in the community. The overall overdose rate in Mesa County is highest in 18-24 year olds, but opioid overdose is most prevalent in 25-44 year olds. In 2020, 41 residents died from an overdose, more than doubling the number of deaths just two years prior in 2018. Over the past 12 months, monthly overdose visits remained steady at St. Mary’s emergency department and Primary Care Partners. Opioid prescription rates have declined steadily since 2016, but still remain higher in Mesa County than Colorado.
The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a serious public health and safety threat. The Mesa County Opioid Response Group is committed to making the community safer and healthier, which is possible by reducing overdoses and overdose deaths. The strategies to address the opioid crisis in the community include expanding drug misuse prevention and education, improving treatment access and retention, and reducing the harms of active drug use.
PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
Keep these practices in mind as you participate in Drug Takeback Day.
- Keep your medicine in the bottle when you return it.
- Don’t crush your medicine. It can create a dangerously high dose that could accidentally be taken in through skin contact or breathing.
- Do not flush pills or dump liquid medication down the drain. It could hurt the environment and potentially harm the food and water supply.
- If you must dispose of medication at home:
- Remove labels, or cross out any identifying information on the container.
- Mix the medicine with something that cannot be eaten, like kitty litter, coffee grounds, or saw dust. Put in a sealable bag or other container that won’t leak.
- Wrap the container in newspaper or a plain brown bag to conceal its contents and place it into the trash.
TAKEBACK LOCATIONS
- Canyon View Pharmacy
2373 G Rd. Suite 120
Grand Junction
Mon.- Fri. 8:30AM – 6:30PM
Sat. 9AM – 6PM
*Does not accept syringes, liquids, or propellants.
- Palisade Pharmacy
707 Elberta Ave. Suite B
Palisade
Mon.-Fri. 9AM-6PM
Sat. 9AM-3PM
- St. Mary’s Hospital (Garage Entrance)
2635 N 7th St.
Grand Junction
Open 24 hours
*Does not accept syringes.
- VA Hospital
2121 North Ave.
Grand Junction
In the Main Lobby, next to the Pharmacy Window
Open 24 Hours
- Walgreens
240 W Park Dr.
Grand Junction
Mon.-Sat. 9AM-1:30PM, 2PM-7PM
*Only accepts over the counter and non-narcotic prescriptions.
- Mesa County Hazardous Waste Facility
3071 US-50
Grand Junction
Wed. 8AM-1PM (businesses only by appointment)
Thur.-Sat. 8AM- 4:15PM (open to the public)
- Family Health West Hospital
228 N Cherry St.
Fruita
Mon.-Fri. 8AM-5PM
- Grand Valley Oncology
2596 Patterson Rd.
Grand Junction
Mon.-Fri. 8AM-5PM