Twice a year the Town of Columbine Valley participates in National Prescription Drug TAKE BACK DAY and hosts a collection point at the Town Hall. The day is designed to significantly reduce the prescription drugs in American homes that are either no longer needed or outdated/expired. These same drugs unfortunately have become the target of theft and misuse, oftentimes by people who have access to the residence.
Prescription drug misuse and abuse is a serious problem both in Colorado and the Tri-County Health Department jurisdiction (Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas Counties). Each year, overdose deaths from opioid painkillers alone number around 300 in Colorado and about a third occur in our three counties. Such deaths are now more common than alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Of concern is that America’s 12 to 17 year olds have made prescription drugs the number one substance of abuse for their age group, and much of that supply is unwittingly coming from the medicine cabinets of their parents, grandparents, and friends.
More and more adults recognize the need to remove these substances from the home and legally and safely turn them over to law enforcement for proper chain of custody and court ordered destruction. Medications should never be disposed of in your water evacuation systems, or given to others the medication was not intended. Law enforcement is the only entity legally able to accept these medications and process them properly so that they do not fall into the wrong hands.
Please help us keep Columbine Valley safe from this scourge as drug use does not discriminate by age, race, socioeconomic status, or education level.