Ever wondered what to do with expired or unused medications? The Elizabethton Police Department has an answer to that question.
Twice a year, the DEA offers a program called National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and the Elizabethton Police Department participates in the program.
The next event will be held on Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce at 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway.
EPD Sgt. Willard Johnson said this program presents the public with an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
“Disposing of unwanted medications in this manner helps to reduce the possibility of medication being used by someone other than who it was prescribed for,” Johnson said. “The public in the past has been informed to flush old medication at times. That way of disposal is considered unacceptable now.
“Recent tests have shown that traces of medications have been showing in the water supplies,” Johnson added. “By destroying them in the proper fashion it eliminates the possibility of medications getting in the water supply.”
Johnson said any medications — such as pills, liquids and patches — are accepted but the program does not accept any kinds of sharp objects such as syringes or lancets.
He said the medications do not need to be in their proper containers and can be brought to the disposal site in a bag, box, plastic container or any other way to safely transport the items.
Residents who have items to dispose of who cannot make it to the event on Sept. 27 have another means available to them to dispose of their unused medications, Johnson said.
“The DEA holds this event twice a year at which time we participate in the event,” Johnson said. “Any other time we have a drop box in the lobby of the police department for the public to drop off medications.”
Johnson said the service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.