First responders, such as firefighters, police officers, and EMTs, and medical professionals, are vital members of our community. They selflessly go to work each day and provide essential services that keep our communities a safer place. It's hard, exhausting work, and they sacrifice their time and lives in our time of need to keep the rest of us safe and healthy. There is a lot of information they have and want to share with the public, and that is what this community blog will be about: They are providing essential information to the public. Agencies involved include: Air Evac Lifeteam 39 Brazil Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department Brazil Police Department Center Point Volunteer Fire Department Clay County Sheriff's Office Dick Johnson Volunteer Fire Department Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita Indiana State Police - Putnamville District (If your agency would like to be involved, please call The Brazil Times at 812-446-2216.)

ISP - DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

Posted Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 12:19 PM

Indiana State Police to Partner With DEA for 24th Drug Take Back Day

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring its 24th nationwide "Prescription Drug Take Back" initiative. The "Take Back" initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.

Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment. This program is for liquid and pill medication. Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken. Needles, new or used, WILL NOT be accepted for disposal. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. 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. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose both potential safety and health hazards.

Once again, the Indiana State Police is pleased to partner with the DEA, and as in the past, unwanted medications may be dropped off at any Indiana State Police Post, except for the Lowell and Toll Road Posts. The event will be on Saturday, April 22, 2023, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

The Indiana State Police Post in Putnamville will have their collection on Friday, April 21, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

To locate the State Police Post closest to your home or business, click this link for Indiana State Police on the Map. To find other locations in Indiana or across the U.S. that are participating in the Drug Take Back initiative, click this link to the DEA.

The Drug Take Back events are the safe, popular and responsible way for the public to legally dispose of prescription drugs with no questions asked.