Saturday Is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Looking for something to do this Saturday? How about dropping off your unused or expired prescription meds and over-the-counter drugs at your local police station or other collection site. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is collaborating with thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country in hosting drop-off locations where the public can safely dispose of unused prescription drugs. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day takes place Saturday, Oct. 27.

Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands with often dangerous and tragic results. The twice yearly event allows the public to clean out their medicine chests and turn in their prescription drugs safely and anonymously, no questions asked.

Medications NOT accepted include liquid drugs, aerosol medications and hypodermic needles and syringes.

The following Charlotte area locations will be accepting unused meds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, or find a collection site near you by using the DEA locator:

• Harris Teeter - Morrocroft, 6701 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte
• Northcross Shopping Center Harris Teeter, 7036 Brighton Park Drive, Charlotte
• WalMart — Pineville, 8322 Pineville Matthews Road, Charlotte
• Davis Lake Shops - Harris Teeter, 8445 Davis Lake Pkwy, Charlotte
• Harris Teeter - Stonecrest, 7852 Rea Road, Charlotte
• Harris Teeter - Steelecroft, 1300 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte
• Birkdale Village - Harris Teeter, Huntersville

Since the first drug take-back day was held in 2010, the DEA and local law enforcement have collected over 5,000 tons of unused prescription drugs. During the April 2018 collection, a record 454 tons of drugs were turned in at 6,000 collection sites across the country.

Included in the haul are ever-higher amounts of opioids, the DEA said. Though prescribed for pain management, these highly addictive drugs can be stolen and abused by family members and visitors, including children and teens.

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