The Oak Ridge Police Department and ASAP of Anderson will participate in the national DEA Drug Take Back Day next Saturday.
The Drug Take Back Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Anyone in the community can drop off their expired or unused medication to a police officer at the ORPD at 200 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge, a press release said.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the most common method of obtaining pills is through family and friends.
“Prescription drugs could be easily stolen at home when they are left in unlocked cabinets and drawers,” the press release said.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 14.3 million Americans over the age of 12 misused prescription drugs in 2021.
“By disposing of drugs, we as a community help to prevent drug misuse, addiction, and potential overdoses,” the release said.
Items that are accepted during the take-back day include unneeded and expired prescription medications, antibiotics, steroids, cold medicine, vitamins/herbal supplements, pet medications, eye drops, and ointments. Needles, IV bags, blood sugar equipment, and illegal drugs are not accepted.
For those outside of Anderson County, check the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration site locator at https://www.dea.gov/takebackday#collection-locator to find the closest take-back event.
Anderson County also has permanent disposal bins in the police departments of Clinton, Norris, Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, and Rocky Top, as well as at the Walgreens and CVS in Oak Ridge, and the CVS in Clinton. Community members can drop off their unused or expired medications at these disposal bins at any time, the press release said.
“In addition to discarding medication, individuals can participate in the Count It! Lock It! Drop It! movement, which is an initiative to prevent prescription drug misuse,” the press release said. “The campaign encourages people to count their medication once every two weeks, lock them in a safe place, and drop unused or expired medication in disposal bins.” A drop box and take back event finder is listed on their website at www.countitlockitdropit.org.
ASAP of Anderson also offers free medication lock boxes to those who live, work, or worship in Anderson County, which can be requested at https://www.asapofanderson.org/quick-links/medication-lock-boxes/. Organizations can also request larger lock boxes to give to those who need them in the community, the press release said.
To learn more about ASAP, go to www.ASAPofAnderson.org and follow ASAPofAnderson on social media.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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