Sheriff department adds new prescription drug take back program

RIO GRANDE COUNTY- Rio Grande County Sheriff Don McDonald was one of the first people to advocate for alternative prescription drug take back programs such as the National Drug Take Back program in recent years and has now added a new program that is free and available to the public.

McDonald learned about a new device that can be used to safely dispose of pharmaceutical drugs if a person needs to get rid of them.


The device is called Deterra and it is a small plastic pouch with a chemical inside that breaks down pill form medication and transdermal patches. “Deterra uses MAT-12 or Molecular Absorption technology that deactivates drugs using activated carbon, rendering them inert, unavailable for misuse, non-retrievable for all practical purposes and safe for the environment.”


McDonald learned about the program during a recent opioid meeting and knew that it would be successful in the Valley. “We had the green drop off box and that program has been very successful.

There was one point where we turned in 50 pounds of prescription drugs and it has fluctuated from there. I think this new program will be even more successful,” said McDonald.


McDonald continued to state, “What we are doing, and what we have on hand, is we are going to start giving out disposable packets for prescription drugs. You place your drugs in the pouch, put a small amount of water inside, seal the pouch, shake it and throw it away. It’s that easy. I am going to get with the pharmacies and the hospitals. I have 800 of them (pouches) and will be trying to get them out in the next few weeks. People can come by the sheriff department in Del Norte and pick some up if they need to but hopefully, we will be able to get them in other places soon.”


The pouches are free, and McDonald is willing to give as many as needed to each individual wanting to dispose of medication. “It is a great program, and we will continue to offer it to the community as long as we can,” finished McDonald.