Montana va offers national drug takeback locations | va montana health care | veterans affairs

HELENA , MT — The Montana VA Health Care System is participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Take Back Day. The Montana VA is offering two drop off

locations for Veterans and non-Veterans to drop off unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction.  The drop off locations will be

at the Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow VA Clinic (1775 Spring Creek Lane, Billings) and the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center (3687 Veterans Drive, Fort Harrison). Both locations will be available

for drop-offs on Oct. 25. Both locations will have safe and secure drop-off boxes in their pharmacy areas. The event is open to the public. Expired prescriptions, including controlled

substances, can be disposed of at either Montana VA pharmacy location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 25. According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA), most people who misused a prescription pain reliever obtained the medicine "from a friend or relative for free.”  “The Montana VA is grateful for the

opportunity to participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day,” said Montana VA Executive Director Duane Gill. “By removing unnecessary medications from your home, you can help

protect your friends, family and your community.”  In addition to Billings and Helena, the DEA also has other prescription drop off sites across Montana. More locations can be found using

the DEA Location Search Tool, : Controlled Substance Public Disposal Locations - Search Utility (usdoj.gov) For more local information, contact the Montana Veterans Affairs Police Department

at (406) 447-7586 at Fort Harrison or (406) 373-3555 in Billings.  Montana VA serves over 49,000 enrolled Veterans across Montana—an area roughly 147,000 square miles in size. Veterans are

cared for by a staff of 1,400 at 18 sites of care across the state.  One third of Montana VA employees are Veterans.   The Holter Museum of Art is proud to partner with Montana VA to bring

creative and rehabilitation opportunities to our Veteran friends, family and neighbors. -30-