SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — When was the last time you checked your medical cabinet for unused prescription drugs? To avoid having someone taking them or to prevent them from ending up in water supplies experts suggest getting rid of them. Here's how you can do it.
The Memphis Area Prevention Coalition (MAPC) is hosting a Drug Take Back Day event on Saturday, April 27, at the Cocaine and Alcohol Awareness Program treatment center, where you can drop those unused drugs off and have fun as well. Music and food will be provided. Community members can also take advantage of mental health and substance abuse resources.
David Fuller, MAPC's regional overdose prevention specialist, said Shelby County loses almost 600 people every year to overdose deaths.
“The majority of people’s substance use disorders, or addictions, begin in someone’s medicine cabinet usually a family member. So you can negate some of that by having those medicines disposed of,” Fuller said.
The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and a host of other agencies are partnering up for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to help implement solutions. More than 110 locally organized events are scheduled across Tennessee this Saturday.
"Take Back Day is an opportunity for anyone to safely and securely dispose of medications in their home that are either expired or no longer needed," a TDMHSAS spokesperson said. "In 2023, Tennesseans disposed of nearly 13,000 pounds of medications across the two Take Back Days in April and October."
In 2024, Fuller wants people to keep disposing those unused medications with MAPC events.
“What we hope to accomplish is to establish more of a presence," Fuller said explaining that the goal is for people to learn about the resources that are available to them.
MAPC's Drug Take Back Day event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4023 Knight Arnold Road in Memphis. Entrance is free and there will also be free food and giveaways.
“I would just want to stress that there is help available and people don’t have to be ashamed or embarrassed if they or their loved ones are dealing with these issues," said Fuller.
