Willacy helps residents dispose of prescription drugs

RAYMONDVILLE — After a two-year push, a local anti-drug group is opening two sites where residents can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs to help keep them out of the wrong hands.

Communities Against Substance Abuse, or CASA, is working with the Willacy County Sheriff’s Office and Watson’s City Drug to offer the drop-off sites.

The partners are expected to unveil drop-off boxes Oct. 11 at 4:30 p.m. at the sheriff’s office and at Watson’s.

“By removing unwanted prescription drugs from their homes, the public helps prevent experimentation, addiction, overdose and even death,” Rosalie Tristan, CASA’s coordinator, said in a statement.

The agency used grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration and CVS Pharmacy for funding.

Tristan said residents can dispose of prescription drugs “no questions asked.”

A study shows 66 percent of teenagers who report prescription pain-killer abuse obtained their drugs from friends and family, the statement said.

“Safely disposing of expired or unused prescription medications is a critical step in helping to protect your teens, your family and home and decrease the opportunity for your teen or their friends to abuse your medicine,” Tristan stated.

As part of the program, CASA will educate parents on the importance of disposing their unwanted prescription drugs, Tristan said in an interview.

“The coalition will continue to educate families on the dangers of prescription medications, the importance of locking them up and the need to remove unused and expired medications,” she said.