2021 Drug Take-Back Event Results

Date of release: October 26, 2021 

 

 The Paducah Police Department had a successful day Saturday, collecting unwanted pills at Mercy Health – Paducah Medical Pavilion. 

 

 A total of 361 pounds of pills were turned in to the police department, either Saturday during national Drug Take-Back Day, or at the drug drop box located in the lobby of the police department.  This year’s take-back day in Paducah was cosponsored by the PPD, Mercy Health – Lourdes Hospital and the Purchase District Health Department. 

 

 The Drug Take-Back event gives the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. 

 

 In the years since the national Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) drug take-back program began, law enforcement agencies across the nation have collected thousands of tons of unwanted prescription medications.  Medicines that remain in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion and misuse.  Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. 

 

 The drug drop box in the police department lobby, 1400 Broadway, is available to residents anytime during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.