Updated 3/2017-- all links (except to my own posts) removed
as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.
I’ve written before about this topic. It was difficult to dispose of the unused prescription drugs when my brother-in-law died. I was not involved in my mother’s old drug disposal, but can’t imagine it was easy (if done at all).
Old and unused drugs don’t just happen when someone dies. They can occur because your surgeon gave you a script for more pain pills than you needed. This is commonly done as it is difficult to gage just how much pain someone is going to have postop. Then there are the pills unused because you didn’t tolerate the side effects or had an allergic reaction. Other are left over when patients are placed on new /different drugs for their conditions.
We have been reminded frequently of late that prescription drugs are now the most commonly abused drugs. These unused drugs are a major source for that abuse.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has initiated a prescription drug “Take-Back” campaign to help remove these old and unused drugs from our medicine cabinets. September 25th has been designated as National Take-Back Day.
More than 2,700 sites nationwide have joined to participate in the event which will collect potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction.
National Take-Back Day will take place on Saturday, September 25th from 10 am to 2 pm local time. The service is free and anonymous. No questions will be asked about how the drugs came into the person’s possession.
Prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules accepted. Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted.
Collection sites in every local community can be found by going to www.dea.gov . This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations.In Little Rock/North Little Rock region, the sites include:
If you do not find a collection site near you, please check back frequently, sites are added every day.
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
War Memorial Stadium Parking Lot
1 Stadium Drive, Little Rock, AR
UAMS Police Department
Reynolds Institute on Aging, First Floor
629 Jack Stephens Drive, Little Rock, AR
Cammack Village Police Department
Cammack Village City Hall
2710 N McKinley, Little Rock, AR
UALR Police
University Plaza Parking Lot
2801 S. University Ave, Little Rock, AR
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department
Pulaski County Regional Detention Center
3201 W Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR
Little Rock Police Department
Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility
3201 W Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR
North Little Rock Police Department
NLR High School
Charging Wildcat Arena
2200 Main Street, NLR, AR
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department
Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department
18122 Hwy 365 N, NLR, AR
4 comments:
I have some needles and syringes left over after my aunt died. They are still in the original, unopened packaging. Can I donate them somewhere? I hate to waste something that should still be usable.
Sandra, you may be able to donate them (since the packages are unopened) to your local charity clinic or to your Church's medical missionary trips.
Great post-such an important issue. My college kids say prescription drugs are all the rage on campus!
Hi! When my father-in-law passed away, God bless his soul, we came across boxes and boxes of popular brand-name medications. He wouldn't have a bar of buying cheaper generic meds.
Most were out of date by years. Heaven knows why he kept them. Perhaps having gone through the “Great Depression” he feared wasting anything.
This brings me to another point. How many of the older generation are using out of date medications?
Take Care,
Peter
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