Drug Take Back Day aims to rid area homes of unwanted medications

In In the News, stoneco, Taney County by marietta

Drop off locations in Branson, Hollister, and Kimberling City

Did you know that 53 percent of misused prescription medications come from family and friends? The source of those prescription medications is often the home medicine cabinet.

Saturday, April 27, local law enforcement and prevention coalitions will host four prescription drug take-back sites in Stone and Taney Counties during the DEA National Rx Drug Take Back Day.

The Taney County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT), the Stone County Community Health Coalition, and Drug Free Ozarks have partnered to promote safe medication disposal as a part of the event. Coalition volunteers will be on site during the event handing out free medication safety information and medication destruction packets.

“Each Take Back event gives community members the opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired and unused prescription medications,” says Marietta Hagan, CoxHealth project coordinator and member of the coalitions.

Drug Take Back Days are a great alternative to flushing medications, which is discouraged. Drug Take Back Days and the use of the permanent drug drop boxes in Stone and Taney counties protects area waterways from contamination from medications. City and county sewer systems and private septic systems are designed to treat biological waste and do not remove medications that are flushed down the toilet or dropped down a sink.

During the Take Back Day, medication drop off locations will be set up on Saturday, April 27 at the following locations:

  • 10am to 2pm – Walgreens Pharmacy – 210 State Highway 165, Branson
  • 10am to 2pm – Lakeland Pharmacy – 1232 Branson Hills Pkwy, Branson
  • 10am to 2pm – Walgreens Pharmacy – 101 Industrial Park Drive, Hollister
  • 9am to Noon – Heart Health & Recovery Walk – Port of Kimberling Marina & Resort – 201 Marina Way, Kimberling City (at the Kimberling City Police Department booth)

Over-the-counter medications, pet medications, and prescription medications are accepted in pill form, liquid form, patches, and creams.  No inhalers or needles/ syringes accepted.

Thank you to the Branson Police Department, Hollister Police Department, and Kimberling City Police Department for hosting the Take Back sites!!