Charges: Former Washington County Deputy Stole Prescription Drugs from Drop-Off Container

An Oakdale man who recently resigned from his post as a Washington County sheriff's deputy now faces several drug charges.

A former Washington County Deputy has been charged with felony drug theft and faces other drug charges after allegedly stealing from a county prescription drug drop-off box.  Ricky Harry Gruber, 43, of Oakdale was charged on Feb. 27 with felony drug possession, two counts of felony theft, misconduct of a public officer and unlawful possession of a prescription drug, according to the criminal complaint.  The prescription drug drop-off boxes are meant for the public to dispose of unwanted or unused prescription medications in a safe manner.  On Jan. 25, a deputy noticed one of the drug drop-off boxes was ajar and there was no forced entry. One of the drug drums was missing from the box. On Jan. 28 the same deputy took a spare drum from …

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Link: Washington County Sees Increase in Prescription Drug Abuse

A Star Tribune report.

Washington County Plans Prescription Drug Take-Back Event

Authorities will collect unused pills, no questions asked.

Washington County authorities will hold another prescription drug “Take-Back” event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. The Washington County Sheriff's Office will host the event in partnership with Washington County Public Health and Environment and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Authorities will collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at the Washington County Government Center, at 14949 62nd St. N., in Stillwater. The site will be located in the main lot at the government center with drive-through access. The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked. “This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” reads a release from the sheriff’s office. “Many Americans…

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Brief: Authorities Collect 339 Pounds Of Pills During ‘Take-Back’ Initiative

Thirty-six pounds of the drugs were classified as controlled substances.

Authorities collected 339 pounds of prescription pills—including 36 pounds of controlled substances—during an Oct. 29 “take-back” campaign. The Washington County Sheriff's Office worked with the Drug Enforcement Agency and Washington County Public Health and Environment to gather expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at the Washington County Government Center. The service was free and anonymous, no questions asked. “These past and future events will help make our communities safer,” the sheriff’s office said in a release. During a similar event in April, authorities calculated the number in gallons—300 worth of pills were collected then. Another event is planned for the spring of 2012 and will be announced closer…

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Brief: Sheriff’s Office Collects 300 Gallons Of Prescription Drugs

During an April 30 “Take-Back” campaign, Washington County authorities disposed of unused pills from area residents.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that it collected 300 gallons of unused prescription drugs during an April 30 “Take-Back” campaign. The sheriff’s office worked in partnership with Washington County Public Health and Environment in an effort to gather “potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs” for destruction, according to a release. The event was held at the Washington County Government Center. The service was free and anonymous—no questions asked. During the campaign, three 100-gallon barrels were filled with prescription drugs, the release says. Among the more commonly abused prescription controlled substances, authorities collected approximately:   (A copy of the entire list of …

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County Authorities to Accept Unused Prescription Drugs April 30

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday that it will participate in a voluntary prescription drug "Take-Back" campaign on Saturday, April 30, at the Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd St. N., in Stillwater. The sheriff's office will collect potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site will be located in the main lot at the government center with drive-through access. The service is free and anonymous—no questions asked, according to a release from the sheriff's office. The initiative addresses a public safety and public health issue, according to the release. It's aimed at preventing misuse, theft and abuse. The sheriff's office reports …

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