Arizonans had the chance to play their part in tackling the opioid crisis this past Saturday by dropping off unwanted prescription medications at the Sun Lakes Shred-A-Thon and National Drug Takeback Day event. A collaboration between Attorney General Kris Mayes and the DEA, the initiative provided a free, anonymous way to dispose of drugs at over 4,000 sites nationwide. As reported by AZAG, Mayes highlighted the importance of such events, stating, "By safely disposing of their prescription medications, Arizonans can do their part to help stop the opioid epidemic and prevent further addiction."
Attorney General Mayes, having collected over 1,000 pounds of prescription drugs since taking office, is focusing on the urgency of stopping the flow of fentanyl into communities and addressing opioid addiction. The Attorney General's office and its partners hosted the event, which was held at 10440 E Riggs Road, Sun Lakes. Attorney General Mayes, according to the same AZAG release, has made it a top priority since taking office last year, aiming to reduce the staggering statistic of five Arizonans dying daily from opioid overdoses.
Fighting the troubling increase in prescription drug misuse, the event addressed a critical need. Citing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most people who misuse prescription medication obtain it from a friend or family member, highlighting the importance of safely removing excess medications from homes. AARP provided shredding trucks for the document disposal aspect of the event, targeting the safe destruction of personal papers alongside medication disposal.
Tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of pharmaceuticals were accepted at the event. However, they did not accept liquids, syringes, or illicit drugs. Providing additional safety measures, the Attorney General’s office also handed out drug deactivation pouches, enabling individuals to safely discard prescriptions at home. Over the past events hosted by Attorney General Mayes' office, the combined efforts have shredded an impressive 185,200 pounds of documents, with participation from nearly 3,000 Arizonans, which was reported by AZAG.
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