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DRUG DROP OFF PROGRAM <br /> Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States and in <br /> Minnesota. <br /> Prescription painkillers can be helpful and beneficial for treating pain when properly prescribed <br /> by a licensed professional, used as prescribed, and stored and disposed of safely. But they are <br /> highly addictive and susceptible to misuse and abuse. If used, stored, or disposed of unsafely, <br /> they can be dangerous and sometimes deadly. <br /> Opioids have killed more than 2,700 Minnesotans in the last 15 years. More than 80% of these <br /> deaths involved prescription drugs, and nearly 60% have occurred in the past 5 years. <br /> Overdose deaths from opioids are increasing at an alarming rate. We are losing too many <br /> Minnesotans to painkillers, heroin, and '` �f� <br /> other opioids. Nationally, every 25 � I' <br /> minutes, a baby is born suffering from � DISPOSE d II <br /> r <br /> opioid withdrawal. Every day, more than �������H� <br /> 1,000 people receive emergency-room f�°�µ:»":K'�°�°°==.""� <br /> treatment for misused prescription opioids. M �~°„�, ' <br /> °,�. �. .,, <br /> Every year, prescription-opioid abuse � <br /> costs about$25.6 billion in lost workplace + "�="'°'"" �C� �'��j <br /> productivity. � ,� � �.�.`r' 6 ''�j� i1i�� <br /> Prescription drug abuse also can lead to � �� �� �` <br /> the use of other"street drugs." About 80% '`�`�` �`" - `3 "�� ~ <br /> of heroin users previously abused _ � <br /> :,;T;,�.,,-�.., <br /> prescription painkillers. Another opioid, - - <br /> called fentanyl, is 50-100 times more _._._- <br /> powerful than morphine and has caused <br /> overdose deaths in Minnesota. <br /> The opioid crisis involves many <br /> stakeholders: people struggling with <br /> addiction and their friends and families, ' ' � <br /> health care providers, pharmacists, � � � <br /> insurers and third-party payers, � <br /> employers, professional-licensing boards, <br /> law enforcement, and the criminal justice <br /> r � r'" <br /> system. <br /> In addition, improper disposal of unused <br /> prescription medications can lead to <br /> contamination of the watershed which <br /> presents a risk to both aquatic life and the general public. <br /> To help combat these issues, the Pequot Lakes Police Department continues to participate in a <br /> state-wide medication collection program called Dose of Reality. We have a secure medication <br /> disposal box located in the lobby of the police department that the public can use to dispose of <br /> their unused medications. The medications deposited in the box are packaged, weighed, and <br /> transported to an approved disposal site. <br /> The Pequot Lakes Police Department collection site became operational in October of 2015. <br /> Our departmenYs drop box is conveniently located on the first floor of city hall and has proved <br /> itself be very useful to our citizens. <br /> 11 1 _^� <br />