Rock Rapids, Iowa — In the latest happenings from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office:
Their newest K9 has now been awarded a ballistic vest, and they are now a drop off point for no-longer-needed prescriptions and other drugs.
They report that their K9 Missy was awarded the ballistic vest thanks to a nonprofit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., and Quad City Area Women Police of Bettendorf, Iowa.
They tell us that Vested Interest in K9s, Incorporate is a charity located in Massachusetts, whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. Each vest costs over a thousand dollars.
The drug return box is part of a permanent MedReturn drug collection program. The goal is to reduce the supply of drugs that can potentially harm teens and adults.
Lyon County citizens looking to dispose of excess and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications can now visit the safe and secure permanent drop box owned by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office will be unveiling the box at the Lyon County Fair. Following the fair, the box will be moved to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office front lobby, where it will be available 24/7. Drugs can be dropped off with no questions asked.
Properly disposing of excess drugs is everyone’s responsibility as a matter of public safety. More than 70 percent of young people abusing prescription pain relievers get them through friends or family, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet. Environmental agencies also urge people not to flush their drugs as they could contaminate the water and affect fish, wildlife or humans.
The Sheriff’s Office says that the drug collection unit is produced by MedReturn, LLC of Grafton, Wisconsin. MedReturn, LLC says they are committed to providing a safe, secure and environmentally-friendly way to help law enforcement agencies and communities collect unwanted or expired household medication, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and unused pharmaceuticals.
