Altru, Safe Kids Grand Forks, and their community partners will host a Medication Take Back Event from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, in the parking lot near Perkins Restaurant, located at 1375 S. Columbia Rd. The event is part of National Poison Prevention Week and aims to promote safe medication disposal in the community.
The Grand Forks Sheriff’s Department will be on-site to collect unused or expired medications, including pills, liquids, creams, ointments, inhalers, patches, and even pet medications. Sharps, such as needles and syringes, will also be accepted if placed in a solid plastic disposal container.
In addition to medication disposal, representatives from Altru’s Pharmacy Department will be available to answer questions about safe medication storage in the home. Safe Kids Grand Forks will provide free cabinet locks and Poison Center magnets featuring the national Poison Help Line number. Thanks to a partnership with Grand Forks Public Health, attendees can also receive free medication disposal bags for those unable to access permanent medication drop-off locations, as well as free sharps containers for individuals who use needles or syringes for medication administration.
Community members are encouraged to gather any expired, unused, or no-longer-needed medications and bring them to the event for safe, proper disposal. Medications can be kept in original containers, and attendees can drive up and drop them off with event volunteers — no need to leave your vehicle. For more information about the Medication Take Back Event, contact Safe Kids Grand Forks at 701.780.1489.
