By Kalyn Story | Staff Writer
For the first time, the Baylor Police Department is participating in a Drug Take-Back Program today.
On Friday and Saturday, faculty, students and staff can stop by the Baylor Police Department in the Speight Parking Garage and drop off any old prescription drugs or expired over-the-counter drugs.
Lilly Ettinger, Baylor’s recovery support coordinator in the Wellness Department, is helping organize the event.
“It is generally not a good idea to keep drugs around that no one is using,” Ettinger said. “It leaves the opportunity for pets and children to get into them accidentally, and it is just best to properly dispose of any medication as soon as you no longer have the need for it or it is expired.”
Ettinger also said it is not good for the environment to throw away drugs for several reasons, one being that drugs have harmed animals that find them looking for food, so it is best to dispose of them at the event rather than throw them out.
Baylor Police Chief Brad Wigtil said he thinks this event is a great way for the police department to serve the community, and he hopes students, faculty and staff will take advantage of this opportunity.
“The police department is always looking for unique ways to serve the community, so we are happy to partner with the [Drug Enforcement Administration], Voices Against Substance Abuse and Baylor’s Wellness Center for this event,” Wigtil said.
Wigtil said the event will be open on Friday from noon to 5 p.m. with students, faculty and staff in mind, thinking it might be more convenient to have the option to drop off drugs on a Friday rather than a Saturday.
Ettinger said Baylor is one of seven police departments in McLennan County to hold this event this year.
The Baylor Police Department lobby is always a “safe place of exchange” where members of the community can meet to exchange items bought on sites such as Craigslist, Facebook or other online sites, according to the department website. Wigtil said the department views this event sort of as an extension of its “safe place exchange” designation.
After the drive, the DEA will come to Baylor Police Department and pick up the drugs and dispose of them properly.
Students with any questions about the drive should contact the Wellness Center.
