Law enforcement and substance abuse coalition taking back unwanted prescription drugs April 29 at three locations

On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local law enforcement, Lawrence County Substance Abuse Coalition and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 13th opportunity in 7 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

This year, there are three drop off locations to choose from. Bring your pills for disposal to WLX Country Café at 1212 North Locust Avenue in Lawrenceburg, Fred’s Pharmacy at 534 N. Military St. #1 in Loretto or the Ethridge Police Department located at 210 Depot St in Ethridge. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 29 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website or call 931-244-5533 for information on our local event.