08.01 Police Department's Annual Report

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DRUG DROP-OFF PROGRAM According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 100 people a day die from drug overdoses in the United States. The CDC also reports that drug overdose death rates have tripled in our country since 1990. Amazingly, according to the CDC, drug overdoses now kill more Americans than motor vehicle crashes. A major portion of the prescription drug overdose problem is the non-medical use of prescription medications. This would include using prescription medications that were prescribed to another person or using these powerful medications just to get "high". Many young people who abuse prescription medications are under the mistaken assumption that because they are prescribed, they are safer than illicit drugs. Most abusers of prescription medications obtain them from people they know, or from their own family medicine cabinet. In addition, improper disposal of unused prescription medications can lead to contamination of the watershed which presents a risk to both aquatic life and the general public. To help combat these issues, the Pequot Lakes Police Department continues to participate in a county-wide medication collection program. We have a secure medication disposal box located in the lobby of the police department that the public can use to dispose of their unused medications. The medications deposited in the box are packaged, weighed, and transported to an approved disposal site. The list of accepted materials from drop off include: household prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, pet medications, vitamins, supplements an Epi pens. The Pequot Lakes Police Department collection site became operational in October of 2015. We have collected over 31.50 pounds of medications through the end of 2016. TOWARD ZERO DEATHS (ALSO KNOWN AS "TZD" OR SAFE Et SOBER) During the year 2016, the Pequot Lakes Police Department continued efforts with the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program by providing 60 hours of patrol. About MN TZD Minnesota TZD is the state's cornerstone traffic safety program, employing an interdisciplinary approach to reducing traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths on Minnesota roads. The TZD program team works in partnership with community and corridor groups to improve the traffic safety of a designated area. Toward Zero Deaths provides technical assistance, materials, and guidance to local groups that are committed to reducing crashes and the fatalities and severe injuries that result from them. 12 I Page