A majority of people who abuse prescription pain relievers get them from friends or relatives. That's why Minnesotans are being asked to participate in Saturday's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
That includes Ramsey County where "Deal with it, so they don’t" is the motto the county's opioid prevention and unified services wants residents to have about dropping off expired medications.
Engagement Coordinator Jonessa Wisniewski says they're looking for everything from old aspirin, pain medications, and even illicit drugs. They'll take them in pill form, powder, or even old needles.
"We don't want barriers, we want you to trust law enforcement, trust the coalition that we're all really coming together for a safer, drug-free community," says Wisniewski. "And a part of breaking those barriers and that stigma is us not asking questions. We really do respect that and we don't ask questions."
Wisniewski says its part of their commitment to Minnesotans' safety and health.
"We really try to educate the community on getting rid of the medication when you no longer need it," says Wisniewski. "Not because you don't trust your family, you don't trust the people in your home, but oftentimes when people are going to use for the first time, they catch their eye on a medication in somebody's home. Whether it's their parents, their grandparents, and somewhere down the line you might misuse that medication."
The team asks that medicines come in their original container if possible, and that loose drugs comes in a clear bag that is ideally one-gallon or smaller.
The DEA has more information on Drug Take Back Day including a site locator where you can drop off your old medications.