There are huge epidemics in our country, in our state and in our community, according to Snowflake-Taylor Police Chief Jerry VanWinkle. One is illegal drugs and the other is prescription drugs, and the use and misuse of these drugs.

A 2012 study show that there were 585 million Class 2 to Class 4 pills prescribed in Arizona. Of those, 58.5 percent were pain relievers, and 82.4 percent of the pain relievers were oxycodone and hydrocodone.

“These prescription drugs are available everywhere,” VanWinkle said, noting that we have experienced some tragedies, some burglaries in our community committed for the purpose of obtaining these drugs.

Chuck Dutcher, who has many years of experience in the area of prescriptions as the local pharmacist for 30 years, is now on the Prescription Monitoring Board. He gave VanWinkle a call about a grant for a drug take back box.

“We obtained that grant and have it (the drug take back box) in our lobby at the police station,” said the chief.

The Drug Take Back Program was created to get drugs out of the medicine cabinet. Van Winkle explained that kids raid the medicine cabinet, then get together, put everything each one of them has gotten into a bowl, grab a handful and throw them down with a beer.

It is recommended that when people get pain relievers, they refrain from letting others know that they have them in the house.

Hydrocodone and oxycodone abuse is now more prevalent than marijuana in the world. The drugs are used as an escape from reality.

The Take Back Box is a means of stopping prescription drug abuse, but only had few people have come to the station to dispose of prescription drugs.

Chief VanWinkle suggests that you don’t drop drugs into the toilet or down the sink.

Some things that are not acceptable at the take back box are inhalers, needles, sharps, biohazards, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, pet medicines, vitamins or over-the-counter medicines.

The Drug Take Back Box is located in the lobby of the police station, and is under lock and key. Drugs can be dropped off at any time, day or night, and it can be done anonymously, explained Chief VanWinkle. He noted that the box is checked on a regular basis, and “It’s definitely secure.” The drugs are incinerated by the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.