CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Clarksville Police Department will join forces with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration this Saturday for National Prescription Take Back Day. On October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., law enforcement will be at the Walmart Supercenter, 1680 Ft Campbell Blvd, Clarksville, to collect expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
This is the 18th opportunity in nine years local law enforcement has provided this service to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
Residents can bring pills or patches for disposal to the Walmart on Ft Campbell Blvd. The drop off location cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last Spring, Americans turned in nearly 469 tons, more than 937,000 pounds, of prescription drugs at more than 6,300 sites operated by the DEA and almost 5,000 pounds from state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 17 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 11.8 million pounds, nearly 5,900 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. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised, previously considered safe methods for disposing of unused medicines, such as 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 October 26 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.
Resident who are unable to participate in the October 26 event can dispose of unwanted prescription medication through the Clarksville Police Department’s Count It! Lock It! Drop It! Program. This year long program provides drop locations for unwanted prescriptions drugs, Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm. The drop boxes are located at three precincts: 135 Commerce Street, 1584 Vista Lane, and 211 Cunningham Lane.