ANNA – Arrowleaf will be hosting a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event at its Union County office, located at 204 South St. in Anna, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Drug Take Back Day is a twice yearly event meant to encourage and assist in the safe and responsible disposal of prescription drugs.
Substance Use Prevention Services Coordinator Morgan Nickles is heading up the event and encourages the public to get involved.
“We all have a role to play in building and maintaining a safe and thriving community and when we participate in an event like Drug Take Back it shows that we are actively playing our role,” said Nickles. “From dropping off prescription medications at a local DTB site to hosting an event that brings awareness and educates the community, we are being of service to one another.”
Drug Take Back Day is a no-questions-asked event.
“We’re not asking any questions about the prescriptions that are dropped off,” added Nickles. “But we do want you to ask us questions!”
The event includes free food provided by Old Route 51 South BBQ and activities for attendees, including:
- Hidden In Plain Sight will be provided by Southern Seven Health Department, a simulation that helps parents to spot signs of drug use in a teenager’s bedroom.
- Forensic Files will be provided by Arrowleaf where participants will play the role of Crime Scene Investigators as they explore cases of substance use.
The event will also include Narcan distribution.
“Narcan reverses an opioid overdose,” explained Nickles. “Our ROSC program will be on-site to pass it out.”
Prescription drugs will be accepted in pill or liquid form. Needles will not be collected.
Partners for the event include the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Stress & Trauma Treatment Center, Egyptian Health Department, Southern Seven Health Department, Rural Health, Union County Hospital, Take Action Today, Old Route 51 South BBQ and The Prescription Playbook.
Arrowleaf is the Human Services organization in Southern Illinois best positioned to support individuals of all ages so that they can contribute to vibrant and more robust communities. That’s because only Arrowleaf innovates our service offerings to best support the communities’ needs, leads community collaboration to better support the success of each individual we work with, and contributes to community prosperity and tracks economic impact. For more information visit myarrowleaf.org.
