By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorMultiple options for Truesdale’s drug take-back program have been identified, promising news as the city plays a role in getting rid of unused prescription medication.The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency will host a one-day event Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will dispose of the medications received at Truesdale City Hall.In addition, the city will begin using the Deterra Drug Deactivation System to dispose of the collected medication. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will provide an undetermined amount of bags which the prescription drugs can be placed into. The disposable bags contain a chemical compound that deactivates and renders the pills useless, according to Administrator/City Clerk Mary Lou Rainwater.Some have linked a growing heroin problem in the region to prescription drug abuse. Flushing or throwing prescriptions drugs in the garbage can also be harmful to the environment.“I am really excited about the DEA program,” Rainwater said. “I hope they consider it in the future. I hope it is the start of doing it every six months.”Truesdale has a permanent drug collection box, which looks much like one used by the post office, located in the lobby of city hall. Anyone can come in and drop off prescription medications as long as city hall is open. It is confidential and no questions are asked.In recent months, the DEA said it no longer had funding for the drug take-back program and would stop picking up the discarded medication at city hall. That has forced city officials to seek other alternatives to dispose of the drugs though they continue to accept the medications.Rainwater said an idea to purchase an incinerator to burn and destroy the collected prescriptions is on hold.Since the drug box was installed several years ago, Truesdale has collected several hundred pounds of unused or expired prescription medication.“We are just a small city, but there is hardly a day that goes by that somebody doesn’t bring something in,” Rainwater said. “People bring in handfuls, bring in big bags.”In other news• At the July 8 board of aldermen meeting, Mayor Murray Bruer announced he will write a letter to the owners of the Belaire Mobile Home Park about the city’s concerns about the property’s condition. The city has received recent complaints about debris on multiple properties.• The board adopted an ordinance authorizing approved a contract between the city and Daniel McCory to provide network support for the police department. He will be paid $200 per month, or $2,400 annually.Drug Collection