Department of Public Safety News Release

Missouri state government team members in Jefferson City will have a fast and convenient way to safely dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications when state government participates in its first-ever State Employee Drug Take Back Day on Thursday, Oct. 24. State employees will have four convenient locations to choose from in the Capitol Complex to safely dispose of drug between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. that day:

Harry S Truman Building, 301 West High Street, High Street lobby (4th floor)
Harry S Truman Building, 301 West High Street, McCarty Street lobby (1st floor)
Department of Health and Senior Services, 920 Wildwood Boulevard, lobby
Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, 1738 East Elm Street, lobby (ATC office entrance is at the rear of the building)

“This is a great opportunity for our team members to safely and conveniently dispose of opioids and other medications that, as we’ve all seen, can have tragic consequences when misused,” Governor Mike Parson said. “Across the country, National Prescription Drug Take Back events have successfully removed higher and higher amounts of potentially dangerous drugs from American homes. I encourage all our state team members to consider participating and help make our homes and Missouri communities safer.”

All locations will be staffed by members of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and supported with assistance from Missouri Capitol Police, the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, and the Department of Health and Senior Services.

State employees are encouraged to collect their old, expired, unwanted or unused medicines to take advantage of this convenient Take Back opportunity. All drop offs are anonymous and there’s no paper work – just drop off the prescription medications and go!

Please remember this Take Back event CANNOT accept liquids, needles or syringes.

If you miss out on this “Take Back” opportunity at the state offices, remember the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at partnering locations across Missouri.

To find a location near you go to: DEATakeBack.com or call 800-882-9539

National DEA Take Back Day has received strong public and law enforcement support since it began in 2010 as a way to help break the cycle of addiction and overdose deaths, and protect homes and medicine cabinets. Last October across the U.S., the public turned in 457 tons (914,236 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,800 of its local partners.

For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov