Bartlesville Police Department will participate in two annual events aimed at curbing drunk driving and drug abuse. Oklahoma’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign began this week, Aug. 14, and ends Sept. 2. Additionally, the next BPD “Drug Take Back Day,” a nationwide event administered by the Drug Enforcement Administration, is set for Oct. 26.
‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ to start
BPD has registered with the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office to participate in this program, which includes saturation patrols and safety checkpoints during the campaign, Aug. 14 through Sept. 2.
“The message to everyone is if you indulge in drinking or using other intoxicating substances, don’t even think about getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle,” said Deputy Police Chief Rocky Bevard. “We will have officers out in force to stop intoxicated driving during this period. Saturation patrols and safety checkpoints will be conducted by BPD. You could even see BPD Chief (Tracy) Roles out during this time period taking people home who have had too much. It is one of the ways local law enforcement can help without arresting people who might have had too much and shouldn’t be driving.”
For more information about the program call the police department at 918.338.4050.
‘Drug Take Back Day’ set for October 26
The next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 26. The event, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, allows citizens to safely and legally dispose of unwanted prescription drugs at specific collection sites located throughout the community.
“This will be the fourth time we have hosted this event, and it has been very successful,” said BPD Capt. Kevin Ickleberry.
Locations for this event are:
- Bartlesville Police Department, 615 S. Johnstone Ave.
- Bartlesville Fire Department Station No. 3, 100 S.E. Madison Blvd.
- Bartlesville Fire Department Station No. 4, 3501 S.E. Price Road
Each site will be manned by at least one member of the police department, where citizens can dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medication in containers supplied by the DEA. Once disposed of in the DEA containers, the police department will secure the containers until they are picked up by the DEA to be destroyed.
The event is for pill and patch forms of medication only. No liquids, needles or sharps will be accepted. The service is free and anonymous.
“We are hopeful for another successful Drug Take Back Day for our community and look forward to offering this service to our citizens,” Ickleberry said.
For more information, contact the police department at 918-338-4050.