Unveiling of Prescription Drop Box

The Uniting Neighbors in Drug Abuse Defense (UNIDAD) Coalition, a program of Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas, in partnership with the Donna Police Department secured a grant from CVS Pharmacy to obtain a permanent prescription medication drop box for installation at the Donna Police Department. The unveiling ceremony is set to be held on June 5th, 2018 at 9:00 am, the Donna community is invited to attend!

During DEA’s National Take Back Day Hidalgo County & Roma collected 2237.41 lbs. of unused medication. Placement of the drop-box at Donna Police Department will facilitate access to community members so that they can dispose of their medication during Police department hours of operation, without having to wait until take-back days are held. The permanent drop box is a safe and anonymous strategy to dispose of unused, or expired medication; the goal is to reduce the availability of prescribed medication that may result in misuse or abuse by children, youth, or adults.

Having a permanent drop box provides the Donna Police Department and the Unidad Coalition an opportunity to educate the community about the dangers that prescription medications pose if left unattended at homes or improperly discarded. Improper disposal of prescription medication has shown to have an adverse effect on the environment; more importantly, this prescription medication drop box will allow for a reduction of access to addictive medications via accidental or intentional misuse by children or others at home.

UNIDAD Coalition has collaborated with diverse law enforcement entities in placing 7 permanent drop boxes across Hidalgo County, this being a collaborative effort to enhance resources and increase awareness of the dangers associated with prescription drug misuse and abuse. If you would like to participate or become involved with the coalition’s efforts and prevention activities in Hidalgo County, please contact Vianca Vieyra at (956) 787-7004 ext. 14 or by email at vvieyra@bhsst.org.