More than 550 pounds of unused and expired medications were collected during Drug Take Back Days in April, according to ASAP of Anderson.
ASAP of Anderson partnered with local businesses and police departments to collect unused and expired medications throughout the community, a press release said.
“A total of 582.2 pounds of medication was collected at six different Drug Take Back sites in April,” ASAP said in the press release. Collected medications are safely handled by police officers, turned over to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration representatives, and then incinerated to ensure they do not find their way back into the community.
Anderson County participated in the 2019 National Drug Take Back Day this past Saturday, April 27. Community members brought their medications to participating police departments across Anderson County, the press release said. Participating departments included Clinton Police Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, Norris Police Department, and Rocky Top Police Department.
In addition, ASAP partnered with Oak Ridge Police Department to provide onsite collection for employees to dispose of their medications at both Oak Ridge Associated Universities on April 17 and Oak Ridge National Lab on April 24. These are yearly Drug Take Back events in coordination with employee Earth Day celebrations, the press release said. More than 100 pounds of medications were collected at each of these onsite events.
The National Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs, and that number has continued to climb in recent years. Studies show many of the misused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Take Back Days provides an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths in communities across the United States. Items that are accepted for disposal include prescription medications (unwanted, expired, unused), antibiotics/steroids, cold and flu medications, vitamins/herbal supplements, pet medications, medication samples, and medication ointments/lotions.
Looking to dispose of unused or expired medication? Anderson County has six permanent disposal bins—one in each police department in Clinton, Norris, Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, and Rocky Top, as well as at Walgreens Oak Ridge next to the pharmacy counter. These bins are available to community members anytime for disposal. For more information, contact ASAP of Anderson at (865) 457-3007 or visit www.ASAPofAnderson.org. You can also follow @ASAPofAnderson on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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