Missoula’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Teams Up With the Griz

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday and Montanans are invited to bring their unwanted prescription medications for no-questions-asked disposal at one of 26 participating collections sites across the state. DEA Special Agent Bryan Fillinger says Missoula is participating once again, but they will be in a new location this time.

“We are changing things up a little bit this year because that date happens to fall on a home football game,” Fillinger said. “In order to reach more people and to get a little more coverage, we decided to move the event from where it is normally held at, which is Southgate Mall, to Washington Grizzly Stadium.”

They are accepting unused or expired medication Saturday, October 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. According to Fillinger, an opioid epidemic has been going on nationwide for quite some time now.

“A lot of communities and law enforcement agencies have come together to try to address this nationwide problem,” Fillinger said. “This is something we are doing here in Missoula and across the state to prevent these drugs from being diverted illicitly and accidently. We have everything from opioid overdoses, addictions and all the other problems that come along with it.”

Accoridng to the Montana Department of Justice, a total of 937,443 pounds, or 468 tons, were brought to 6,258 collection sites in April nationwide.  Over 40,000 pounds of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications have been collected at Montana National Take Back Day events since 2010. Montanans who can’t make it to a Take Back Day event can dispose of their unwanted medications by visiting one of many permanent drug drop box locations across the state. There are over 10 drop box locations right here in Missoula County.