Dispose of medications with spring poison center event in Abilene
The often forgotten spot to clean in the spring is the hoard of medicines in the bathroom or kitchen cabinet.
The Texas Panhandle Poison Center, managed by Texas Tech University Health Science Center, will host a Spring Medication Cleanout 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the TTUHSC School of Nursing building, 1674 Pine Street, according to a media release.
The event provides the community with a safe, secure and environmentally-friendly disposal site to unload expired, unwanted or unnecessary medications.
Residents will be able to conveniently dispose of prescription, over-the-counter medications, syringes and sharps from the comfort of their vehicles with the drive-thru and drop-off setups. Pet medications are also acceptable to drop-off.
“With spring cleaning upon us, don’t forget about medications,” Jeanie Shawhart, poison center managing director, said in the media release. “It’s time to go through your home to collect any medications which are no longer being used. Even if they aren’t expired, cleaning them out is a good idea. Otherwise, they pose a risk for poisoning and drug overdose.”
Shawhart added that properly disposing of medications through the cleanout event ensures they will not end up in landfill or sewer systems, which in turn could affect the community's drinking water.
“Old medications become potential sources of poisoning to young children or may be accessed by teens experimenting with drugs,” Shawhart said. “They also pose a hazard for adults and elderly as they increase the risk of choosing the wrong bottle or taking medications that are no longer required.”
Abilenians are recommended to leave medications in their original containers. All personal information will be blacked out, according to the Medication Cleanout website.
Due to environmental restrictions, only medications from households can be accepted. Medications from clinics, nursing homes, pharmacies and other businesses are not allowed.
To learn more about what is acceptable to bring, why medication disposal is important or to sign up for a notification reminder, check out MedicationCleanout.com.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Don't trash your pills. Cleanout event this weekend in Abilene
