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 over 50 percent of misused prescription medications come from family and friends? The source of those prescription medications is often the home medicine cabinet.

Saturday, October 26th, local law enforcement and prevention coalitions will host four prescription drug take-back sites in Taney and Stone counties during the DEA National Rx Take Back Day.

The Taney County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT) 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 Rx 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 ADAPT coalition.

Rx Take Back Days are a great alternative to flushing medications, which is discouraged. Rx Take Back Days and the use of the permanent drug drop boxes 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 Rx Take Back Day, medication drop off locations will be set up from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, October 26th at the following locations:

  • Walgreens Pharmacy – 210 State Highway 165, Branson
  • Lakeland Pharmacy – 1232 Branson Hills Pkwy, Branson
  • Walgreens Pharmacy – 101 Industrial Park Drive, Hollister
  • Kimberling City Police Department – 34 Kimberling Blvd, Kimberling City

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.

To locate an Rx Take Back Day location near you, visit DEATakeBack.com.