By Rhys Baker

Clay Counts participated in Drug Take Back Day, accepting expired, unused, or unwanted medications. Sponsored by the National Drug Enforcement Administration, the event encourages people to inspect their medicine cabinets. Clay Counts Community Mobilizer Lori Martin says the results were remarkable, “It was a beautiful fall day, and I think folks got inspired to clean out that medicine cabinet. And we collected 66 gallons of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications that day.”

The task force also distributed 18 units of Narcan with short tutorials on how to use the opioid overdose-reversing medication. Coordinator Martin explains what happens after the medications are collected: “We have a certain chemical that we’re able to mix with the meds. So, we take that medicine and put it in a container and then add the chemical that neutralizes that, and then we are able to put that back into the trash once the chemical has been neutralized and it won’t pollute the environment.”

In addition, Clay Counts distributed an additional 36 units of Narcan at the Halloween Howl in downtown Clay Center. The coalition’s mission is to promote social, physical, and mental well-being for Clay County residents while emphasizing the reduction of substance use.