Several southern Colorado agencies taking part in National Drug Take Back Day with DEA

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Several law enforcement agencies in southern Colorado are participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Drug Take Back Day on October 24.

According to officials, the DEA started the National Drug Take Back Day to get unused or outdated drugs out of homes so they can't be misused. They say the day gives people ways to dispose of their prescription drugs safely.

The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) says there will be three locations across the county that will accept unwanted prescription drugs. According to officials, the drugs will be accepted anonymously without charge and disposed of safely.

PCSO says it is accepting tablets, capsules, patches, liquids in their original containers less than four ounces and vaping devices with the lithium batteries removed. They say medication can be disposed of in its original container or in a sealed plastic bag.

It says it will not accept syringes, sharps, mercury thermometers, oxygen containers, chemotherapy/radioactive substances, pressurized canisters and illicit drugs.

The following locations will be open for drop off in Pueblo County, PCSO says:

• PCSO Pueblo West Substation at 320 E. Joe Martinez Boulevard (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• Pueblo Rural Fire Station at 29912 U.S. Highway 50 East (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• Valley Health Mart Pharmacy at 4493 Bent Brothers Boulevard (10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

The Teller County Sheriff's Office says it will also be participating from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its office. El Paso County Public Health Substance Use Prevention Program will be taking part and partnering with Widefield Parks and Recreation.

That location is at 755 Aspen Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a second location at Fountain Library at 230 South Main Street at the same time.

There is also a search option on the DEA's webpage that lets users search by zip code, city, or state within a certain radius to find the closest locations.

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