The Drug Enforcement Administration collected more than 900 tons of prescription drugs during for its National Take Back Day in 2017.
It held its first of two Take Back Days across the country Saturday. Many brought in old prescriptions the Elks Lodge parking lot.
The Elks have collected drugs along with the DEA for seven years. Last year, the Elks collected more than 400 pounds and the goal this year is 800 pounds.
The reason for the program is to remove drugs from potentially being abused and for and the environment,
"We don’t want people flushing drugs down the toilet,” said Mike Yakawich, Elks Lodge Drug Awareness Committee Chair. “It’s just not good for the environment, not good for the fish, not good for the people downstream. And then secondly, we don’t want drugs being abused, improperly used. We really want to take all these drugs and just get rid of them. We don’t want kids or anyone adults, improperly using the drugs. It’s really enriching and rewarding to do it."
The Elks Lodge has held one collection annually, but will also help with a second Take Back Day in October.
