The Missoula Police Department is partnering up with the Southgate Mall to host a drug take back this Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Detective Dean Chrestenson will be the officer collecting any unused prescription drugs and he says these events are very important.

“I think if we can keep drugs out of people’s hands that they are not prescribed to I think that helps not only save lives, but it also helps people stay out of trouble,” said Chrestenson.” It is illegal, it is a criminal act to take somebody else’s medications or to use somebody else’s medications that are not prescribed to you. If we can do that and save some lives and keep people from getting into trouble, I think it is a good thing.”

There is a drug take back at the mall twice a year, but Chrestenson says there are other ways to get rid of unused prescription drugs properly.

“Missoula has been a really good participant,” Chrestenson said. “We usually get at least 100 pounds of drugs on each take back and that doesn’t count the permanent drop box we have at the police department that is there 24/7. If you can’t make it to the drug take back at the mall you can also take them to the police department in the back parking lot. If you just go into the back doors, there is a drop box in there.”

According to Chrestenson, the drop box at the police department usually collects about 300 pounds every six months.

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