Last year St. Charles County saw twice as many overdose deaths as in 2016. Many of them involved heroin and other opioids, like prescription painkillers.
That's one reason why Saturday's DEA prescription drug take-back is so important. And now, a major technology company is making it easier for you to take part.
Google just added a link to the bottom of its homepage that reads, “Learn about how you can help curb opioid abuse.” Click on it on your computer or phone and you're taken to a post about the opioid crisis across the United States.
But the post goes a step further. Enter your address and you'll be shown a map of every drug take-back location near you.
“This is incredibly helpful. It takes any kind of stress and excuses out of it. And it's all right in the palm of your hand,” said Nichole Dawsey, Director of Prevention Education at NCADA St. Louis.
She spent part of Wednesday afternoon packing boxes full of materials to support the take-back day. For Dawsey, prevention is personal.
“I want my nieces to grow up safe and healthy and drug-free. They’re hungry for this type of information.”
Dawsey said the NCADA will continue to push prescription pill abuse and safe drug disposal. And she’s happy to have such a loud voice backing them up.
“The message here really is, that there's no excuse. There's literally a spot to dispose of your meds anywhere you look.”
The drug take-back will happen Saturday from 10 am-2 pm at hundreds of locations across Missouri and Illinois.
Can’t make it on Saturday? Click here for a list of permanent drop off locations in your area.
