NC officials encourage public to get rid of expired medication for Nation Drug Take Back Day

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Officials in North Carolina and across the country are encouraging citizens to discard their unneeded and expired medications.

Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. For the last 15 years, this day has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded or unwanted medicines, some of which can be a gateway to addiction.

“I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to clean out their medicine cabinets and take those unused, expired, and unneeded medications to a nearby collection site for safe disposal,” said Erek Davodowich, acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Division. “This small act can have a big impact at a time when Americans are dying in record numbers from drug overdoses and poisonings.  Oftentimes, opioid abuse and the path to addiction begins with the home medicine cabinet.”

There are several ways to misuse medications including taking medicine prescribed to someone else, using medicine in a way other than it was prescribed, taking medicines to get high or mixing them with illicit drugs or alcohol.

“Properly disposing of unneeded medications is essential.  It stops drug poisonings and minimizes the risk for misuse,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “DEA is committed to protecting the safety and health of all Americans. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a free and easy way to come together as a community to turn the tide on the drug poisoning epidemic.”

To find location sites to dispose of your expired or unneeded medication click here.

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