DPH Asks Residents to Use ‘Drug Take Back Day’ Events to Safely Dispose of Unused Prescription Medicines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 24, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Twice a year, in April and October, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) partners with local law enforcement and other community organizations to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Days. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages residents to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 26, by cleaning out and properly disposing of unused or expired medications. 

Nearly 50% of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, according to the DEA.  

In 2022, 2,296 drug overdose deaths occurred in South Carolina, which is a 6% increase from 2021, according to the annual Drug Overdose Deaths Statistical Report for South Carolina. Of those overdose deaths, 1,982 were attributed to prescription drugs.  

“Cleaning out your medicine cabinet twice a year of unused or expired prescription drugs is an easy way to keep you and your loved ones safe by removing any potential harmful products from your household,” said Julia Horan, DPH prevention coordinator.  

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day drop off events run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. To find a local take back site near you, visit the DEA's Collection Site Locator.   

Take-back locations will collect tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. The DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop-off locations, provided lithium batteries are removed. 

There are also many locations that accept unused drugs year-round. The South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) provides a map of these locations around the state at justplainkillers.com/drug-safety. 

For information on opioid overdose prevention, the opioid antidote naloxone, finding a recovery provider, pain management and overdose data, visit justplainkillers.com, which is managed by DAODAS.  

Free Overdose Prevention Safety Kits are available to all community members at DPH health clinic locations. These kits contain fentanyl test strips, naloxone (Narcan), treatment resources and instructions for their use. No appointment is needed to receive a kit, and you do not have to provide identification. 

Additional information about DPH opioid prevention programs is available on DPH’s Opioid Epidemic webpage.  

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