According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) people who abuse prescription painkillers most frequently get them for free from a friend or relative and many buy them from a friend or relative. It is critically important to properly dispose of any and all unused medications in order to prevent them from being misused or accidentally consumed by a small child.

Medicines play an important role in treating many conditions and diseases and when they are no longer needed it is important to dispose of them properly to help reduce harm from accidental exposure or intentional misuse. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends you dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused medicines is through authorized collection sites like the Elizabethton Police Department or semi-annual local take-back events.

Count it! Lock it! Drop it!

Prescription drug misuse is a prevalent and often fatal problem among youth and adults throughout Tennessee. Sixty-four percent of Tennesseans know someone who has become addicted to prescription pain medication. Despite this alarming number, many individuals still think prescription medication addiction and misuse is a bigger risk for “other people,” and not their households.

When individuals do not properly use or store prescription medications, it creates an opportunity for drug misuse by Tennesseans of all ages.

For more information, click here.

Learn more about safe medicine disposal.

DropBox Locations:

Carter County TN Sheriff’s Office

http://www.sheriff.cc/

Walgreens

https://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/safe-medication-disposal.jsp

Elizabethton Police Department

http://www.elizabethton.org/departments/disposal_drop_box.php