Starkville Police Department and Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office will host a drug takeback Saturday at Starkville locations.
The departments will let residents dispose of old prescriptions from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Vowell’s Market Place at 118 Highway 12 West and Fred’s Super Dollar at 605 South Jackson St.
SPD Public Information Officer Brandon Lovelady said the drug takeback is the second the department has hosted this year, after hosting one in late April.
The programs are meant to allow people to get rid of old prescriptions. Lovelady said it’s especially important with drug abuse and opioid addictions on the rise across the country.
“This ensures there’s no excess medication in your residence to be used other than as directed,” he said.
Lovelady said he received a lot of positive feedback from local pharmacists when SPD hosted a drug takeback program in the spring. Most pharmacies in the area don’t take medication back.
Oktibbeha County Sheriff Steve Gladney said the sheriff’s office has participated in drug takebacks before, and they’ve worked well.
In addition to preventing drug abuse, Gladney said, the takebacks help keep children from accidentally getting to drugs.
“With kids around the house, there’s always the risk that they could possibly get their hands on (prescription drugs),” he said. “It’s a safe way to get rid of them. Hopefully people will take advantage.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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