Amador County – The Amador County Sheriff’s Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, will again participate in the nationwide “Take-Back Initiative,” set for April 30.

Sheriff Martin Ryan announced the participation plan last week, and said “last September, Americans turned in 242,000 pounds – 121 tons – of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners including the Amador County Sheriff’s Department.”

In an effort to prevent increased pill abuse and theft, the Amador County Sheriff’s Department will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at one location within Amador County. The service is free and anonymous.

The 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 United States are increasing at alarming rates.

Ryan in the announcement last week said “Amador County Sheriff’s Department recognizes the importance of community involvement and urges the citizens of Amador County to take a stand against illegal prescription drug abuse by using this opportunity to dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.”

The Amador County Take-Back Initiative is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday April 30 in the Amador County General Services parking lot, at 12200 B Airport Road in Sutter Creek.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.