Truesdale drug take-back closing in on 1,000 pounds
By Tim Schmidt,
Record Managing Editor
Posted 11/7/19
The Truesdale drug take-back program will hit a significant number by the end of the month. But the success of the program is not determined by the amount of pounds collected. Rather, it’s the …
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Truesdale drug take-back closing in on 1,000 pounds
Posted
By Tim Schmidt,
Record Managing Editor
The Truesdale drug take-back program will hit a significant number by the end of the month.But the success of the program is not determined by the amount of pounds collected. Rather, it’s the number of lives that are likely saved, city officials say.“How many families are not being destroyed?” City Administrator/City Clerk Mary Lou Rainwater asked. “The kids won’t be able to get (the prescription medication).”The city’s permanent drug collection box has been well received. Since being installed several years ago, the city has collected 985 pounds in unused or expired prescription medicine.The city will host a drug take-back event on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at city hall, located at 109 Pinckney St. The city also will accept syringes that same day, though disposal will be handled by the Warren County Ambulance District. The event is open to all residents.Rainwater expects the city to top 1,000 pounds collected at that time.“It’s such a great program,” she said.Truesdale has a permanent drug collection box, which looks much like one used by the post office, in the lobby of city hall. Residents unable to attend the April 30 event can come in and drop off prescription medications as long as city hall is open. It is confidential and no questions are asked.A growing heroin epidemic across the country has been attributed to prescription drug abuse. Flushing or throwing prescription drugs in the garbage can also be harmful to the environment.City officials have led the charge at a local level to make sure medications are disposed of properly.When the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency cut funding for the drug take-back program in recent years and stopped picking up discarded medication at city hall, that spurred Rainwater and others to fight back.She placed telephone calls and wrote letters to legislators to tell them about the importance of the program.Last month, Rainwater’s persistence was rewarded. She was presented with the 2016 Outstanding Award at the Missouri Rural Water Association’s annual conference held in Branson.The award is given to someone who has performed exemplary work and Rainwater was recognized for her efforts to keep prescription drugs from being abused. The award was a surprise, but one she is glad to share with the elected officials and staff.“This belongs to the city,” Rainwater said. “It’s such a small thing, but to me, it has a big impact. Honestly, we have somebody using it everyday. Maybe it’s a bottle, then it’s a sack full.”Prescription Drug Take-Back EventWhen: Saturday, April 30Where: Truesdale City Hall, 109 Pinckney St., TruesdaleTime: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
This drop-off bin is located in the lobby of Truesdale City Hall and allows people to drop off unwanted or expired medications. Tim Schmidt photo.
