Community Connections hosts a monthly prescription drug take-back drive

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska (KNOP) – At Bomgaars store in North Platte, a local nonprofit opens its booth every third Saturday of the month. Community Connections focuses on improving the lives of youth in the community.

Volunteer Sandee Kronn emphasizes the critical role the community plays in the success of the monthly prescription drug take-back drive. It's not just a collection, it's a community effort.

The active participation of community members makes this event a success and empowers each individual to take responsibility for the safe disposal of medications and ensure the safety of youth.

“The goal is to keep drugs out of the hands of young people,” Kroon said. “Often people get a lot of prescriptions but they don't use them all and they stuff them in the cupboard so they're not in their house. They've gotten rid of them and we dispose of them safely.”

Kroon said it is extremely important to dispose of medications properly so they do not end up in the trash or toilet and affect the water supply.

Local police officers volunteer to help Community Connections with prescription drug take-backs on a rotating basis.

Kroon explains what happens to the medication when it leaves the hands of the donor.

“We recycle the bottle caps,” Kroon said. “We black out the patient's name and recycle any cardboard or paper that comes with it, such as doctor's samples. Everything here will go to the state police and be burned.”

Community Connections accepts all prescription and non-prescription medications, cough syrups, and inhalers. They do not accept items such as needles or syringes. Click here to learn more about Community Connections.

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