For those that missed last weekend's "National Drug Take Back Day" there are still options for dropping off expired or unneeded medications.

Marietta Hagan, in an interview last week on KRZK's "Ozarks Now" program listed the following locations as permanent locations that are always available for disposal of prescription drugs:

•    Branson Police Department
•    Hollister Police Department
•    Rockaway Beach Police Department 
•    Kimberling City Police Department
•    Stone County Sheriff’s Department in Galena
•    Taney County Sheriff’s Department in Forsyth
•    CoxHealth Pharmacy at the Cox Branson Outpatient Center
•    CVS Pharmacy on Loyd Street in Branson  

In a press release issued by the Taney County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT), the Stone County Community Health Coalition, and Drug Free Ozarks, it is stated that with the holidays approaching, many young people will travel to homes of relatives that might not be child proof when it comes to medications making properly storing and disposing of those unwanted medications important. 

According to Drug Enforcement Agency Website, Wal-Mart in Harrison as well as the Holiday Island Pharmacy are two of the locations in Northern Arkansas that can take back unwanted medications year round. 

The complete press release from the Missouri Lakes Area coalitions is below:

Local residents who didn’t get the chance to participate in the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 23 don’t have to – and shouldn’t – wait until the next event to rid their home of expired, unwanted, unused and dangerous drugs. With holidays approaching, kids and grandkids may be visiting homes that aren't child-proofed and it is important to secure medications in the home as well as dispose of medications properly to prevent accidental poisonings.
 
Residents of Stone and Taney counties have other year-round options they can use for free, safe and easy disposal .  
 
Permanent drug drop boxes:  Several local law enforcement agencies and pharmacies in Stone and Taney counties provide this option. Some drop boxes are available 24/7/365 and all are anonymous and free to use.  Boxes are located at: 
•    Branson Police Department
•    Hollister Police Department
•    Rockaway Beach Police Department 
•    Kimberling City Police Department
•    Stone County Sheriff’s Department in Galena
•    Taney County Sheriff’s Department in Forsyth
•    CoxHealth Pharmacy at the Cox Branson Outpatient Center
•    CVS Pharmacy on Loyd Street in Branson
 
Medication destruction packets: An at-home option used to deactivate, destroy and permanently dispose of pills, patches, liquids, creams and films in less than three minutes – without ever leaving home. There are a couple of different varieties of these, including Dispose Rx packets and Deterra pouches.  This option allows people to dispose of expired and unneeded medications quickly and easily through their household trash. It also provides a safe alternative to other disposal methods such as flushing medications or simply throwing them away without proper deactivation, which can be harmful to the environment. 
 
The Taney County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT), the Stone County Community Health Coalition, and Drug Free Ozarks encourage local residents to utilize the permanent drug drop boxes and distribute medication destruction packets for free. 
 
“Almost 15,000 drug deactivation packets have been distributed in Stone & Taney counties in the last three years, equipping our residents with the power to reduce prescription drug misuse in their community,” says Marietta Hagan, member of both coalitions and project coordinator for Drug Free Ozarks.
 
The combined Stone and Taney County take back events held on October 23rd collected 177 pounds of medications across four sites. Medication take-back events offer one way for community members to dispose of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications, helping eliminate potential public safety concerns.  The alternatives provide everyone with additional opportunities to embrace the duty-to-dispose of medications safely, quickly, easily and effectively, year-round. 
 
More information on the location of permanent drug drop boxes across Missouri or access to the free at-home option can be found at www.drugfreeozarks.org.
 
ADAPT promotes the reduction of substance use in youth through awareness, education, and programs that benefit the entire community. The Stone County Community Health Coalition promotes a healthier, happier, and safer Stone County, MO by focusing on the reduction of substance use and misuse, mental health challenges, and cardiovascular disease. Drug Free Ozarks is part of the Stone and Taney Counties Substance Use Initiative, which is led by CoxHealth and funded by a Skaggs Legacy Endowment grant.