Atwood Police Take Back Day Successful

By Doris Elmore
Staff Writer

Atwood Police Department with Chief Rob Bross participated in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Take Back Day on Saturday, April 24. Chief Bross was pleased that his department took in 13 lbs. of medications on that specific day.

Chief Bross wants residents to know that his department will take medication any day, not just a specific day. You can bring them by the police department when any officer is on duty. Be sure and give to one of the Atwood officers.

The Atwood P.D. and the DEA will continue to collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. They will also continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop off locations provided lithium batteries are removed. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S, has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-mnth period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period. The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.

Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way the Atwood P.D. and DEA are working to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths.

The Atwood P.D. activity report from 3/1 to 3/31/2021 includes: case reports: 11, case supplementals: 8, activity logs: 69, traffic citation: 12, written warning: 3.