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Over 1,000 Pounds of Drugs Collected: El Paso County Tackles Opioid Crisis on Take Back Day

(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — Amidst the usual weekend activities and neighborhood park gatherings, collection points were established throughout Southern Colorado to gather prescription medications and opioids. This initiative aimed to curb drug overdoses and accidental poisonings.

"It provides residents with a chance to dispose ofunused or expired prescription medications they might have gathered at home over time," stated Jennifer Lang from El Paso County Public Health.

Capsules and containers were deposited, packing multiple garbage bags the size of kitchens to capacity. The collection point close to the Widefield Parks and Rec Center represents just a fraction of a national initiative wherein communities throughout the nation establish drop-off spots for outdated and expired prescriptions as well as opioid medications. At the Widefield venue, individuals received medicine boxes, Narcan kits, and additional items bundled into gift bags when they turned in their unused medicines.

Various other disposal sites throughout El Paso County similarly became filled with garbage bags containing waste. According to information provided by the Colorado Springs Police Department to FOX21, approximately 1,373 pounds of prescription medications and opioids were gathered during the drug take-back initiative held in April. Lang mentions that this event has proven successful over the last three years.

"We have been collaborating with our local law enforcement, and since 2022, the Fountain and Widefield areas have gathered almost 1,000 pounds ofunused or expired drugs," Lang stated.

Although there are two scheduled drug take-back events annually, Lang promotes making everyday a "take-back" day so individuals can dispose of their outdated or unused prescriptions correctly. For those seeking an appropriate site to safely deposit unneeded opioids or prescription medications, click here.

Regarding the medication collection in Whitefield and Fountain, precisely 968.75 pounds were gathered during the past six drug take-back events held solely at the Widefield Parks and Recreation Center and the Fountain Library, based on information provided by El Paso County Public Health. This initiative follows recent statistics indicating that 534 individuals aged 15-24 sought treatment in emergency rooms due to overdoses in 2023, also reported by El Paso County Public Health.

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