Prescription Drug Drop Off

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Marlys Knutson dropped off her old unused prescription drugs Saturday at the Law Enforcement Center in Sioux Falls.

She says it's a great way to get rid of prescriptions she no longer uses.

"You want to make sure some child doesn't get ahold of them, and dispose of them properly so it's better to just bring them down here and let them take care of it," Knutson said.

And that's exactly why law enforcement is glad residents took some time to come downtown Saturday afternoon to keep the drugs out of harm's way.

"If they're just sitting around collecting dust and people aren't paying attention after awhile to where those drugs are or how much they have on hand can become a safety concern," Sgt. Lon Hatcher said. 

Hatcher says in most cases these prescriptions have a relatively short shelf life, but if they get in the hands of the wrong person, they can be dangerous.

"There is a danger to someone who's not prescribed to the medication so naturally we want to get them out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them," Hatcher said.

One of the biggest concerns for law enforcement is if the drugs get in the hands of teenagers who shouldn't have them. That's because prescriptions are often used as a new way to get high.

" Obviously it could be very dangerous to start experimenting with prescription drugs, could cause all sorts of medical problems as well as an over dosing type of situation, which we do a fair amount of responses to," Hatcher said.

And once dropped off, the drugs are permanently destroyed, ensuring their shelf life will expire.