Goodyear police to host shred and drug disposal event

Residents can safely dispose of sensitive documents and unused or expired medications at a free community event hosted by the Goodyear Police Department.

The event will be held from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at the police operations building, 11 N. 145th Ave. Sharps, including needles and syringes, will not be accepted.

The initiative is aimed at reducing identity theft and preventing the misuse of prescription drugs. Officials say properly destroying personal documents and safely disposing of medications are key steps in protecting both personal information and public health.

The Arizona Fire and Medical Authority recommends following disposal instructions on medication labels when available.  Residents should also remove or obscure personal information on prescription labels.

The Federal Trade Commission advises shredding documents that contain personal or financial information. While some records, like credit card statements and utility bills, can be destroyed after payment, other documents, including certain tax records, should be retained for several years or longer.

For those unable to attend, the Goodyear Police Department offers a prescription drug disposal box at its operations building, available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing a secure, year-round option for medication disposal.

Officials say the event is open to the public and encourages residents to take advantage of the free service to help protect their identity and keep the community safe.

Visit goodyearaz.gov for more information.