Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health is pleased to announce that in conjunction with local law enforcement, the Bernie Police Department now has a permanent prescription drop box in an effort to reduce the supply of medications that can potentially harm teens and adults.

The community may now bring unused, expired, or unwanted medicine to the Bernie Police Department for safe disposal, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. 

Bernie Police Department is located at 206 W Crumb Ave, Bernie, MO

 

According to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than six million Americans misuse prescription drugs.  Among youth who are 12 to 17 years old, 7.4% report past year non-medical use of prescription drugs. Properly disposing of excess medication is everyone’s responsibility as a matter of public safety.  More than 70 percent of young people misusing prescription pain relievers get them through friends or family, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet.

Pictured in the attachment is LT Roy Boyce with the Bernie Police Department.