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In the last six months, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office has collected 428 pounds of unwanted or unused medication through its 24/7 medication drop box. Of that, 18.8 pounds was collected on Saturday Oct. 25, during the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s national Drug Take Back Day.

The Gazette sat down with Major Chad Colston of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office to talk about the results of the Take Back Day and where people can dispose of unwanted medication, even now that the event is over.

Q: How often does the DEA host the drug Take Back Day?

A: “Every six months, April and October, with the exception … of 2020. We skipped April's and then did a year's worth of collection in October

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