700 turn out for Hennepin's Drug Takeback Day

On Monday, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office released results of its contribution to national Drug Takeback Day, held Saturday. Here is what was tallied at the county's dropoff site in St. Louis Park:

MORE THAN 700 people dropped off medications.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PILLS were collected - both prescription and over-the-counter substances.

THE MOST COMMON CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES collected: Vicodin (and other hydrocodone items), oxycodone, codeine and fentanyl.

The event also collected over-the-counter medications, pet medicines, vitamins and supplements.

ALL ITEMS WERE TAKEN to hazardous-waste incinerators for destruction.

Unwanted or unused medications stored at home can lead to poisoning or abuse.

Disposal of unwanted medications also raises environmental concerns. Medicines flushed down the drain or disposed of in landfills can contaminate water, harm wildlife and end up in drinking water supplies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about medication disposal, or for those who did not attend the event, call Hennepin County Environmental Services at 612-348-3777 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.