On Saturday, April 26th , Grass Valley Police Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration   and the Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County in a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” day.  Shelley Rogers with the Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County says this program allows members of the public to drop off potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for safe disposal and destruction at the Corner of Neal and South Auburn in downtown Grass Valley.  She says pills left in medicine chests can be a temptation to youth to take them,  and to share them with other youth in so called Pharm parties where the pills are dumped in a hat and taken at random.

click here to listen to Shelly Rogers

Previous “Take Back Days” have been very successful in Nevada County. From April 2012 through October 2013, Nevada County residents safely disposed of 1,925 pounds of unwanted and outdated prescription drugs.
Grass Valley Police Lt. Alex Gammelgard says the  initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.

click here to listen to Lt. Gammelgard

It’s also a bad idea to flush unused medications down the toilet as they can get into our water systems. A 2008 study by the Associated Press found traces of pharmaceuticals in tap water across the U.S. and evidence suggest this water pollution may also have negative affects on wildlife.
The drop off will be this Saturday (APR. 26th) from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm    in Grass Valley at the Corner of Neal and South Auburn (parking lot across from Safeway in downtown Grass Valley). People will be able to drive-thru and not have to get out of their car. Tey suggest you leave pills in the container but use a pen to mark out any personal information.