US : Authorities offer free disposal for unwanted prescriptions

The Lee County Sheriff’s Department is giving locals the chance to get rid of unwanted prescription medications for the second time this year.

US Attorney General, Eric Holder is announcing the expansion to now include pharmacies, hospitals and other entities as drop off sites all year round.

In past years, only law enforcement was able to accept the prescription drugs on a regular basis.

Local pharmacists say this will help limit the risk of unintentional drug overdose deaths in the country.

“It limits the potential of kids or pets getting into medication, that they shouldn’t be getting in to. Anything that is controlled, it gets them off the streets so that there’s no chance of abuse or redirection of those medications. So I think it’s a great thing,” said Pharmacy Manager, Lisa Hubka with Clear Lake Pharmacy.

Last spring, more than 390 tons of prescription drugs were collected through the Drug Enforcement Administration at more than 6,000 locations.

“Most of the pain medications or narcotics that we dispense quite have warnings on them. We say make sure that nobody else in your family gets a hold of these. You can’t give these to your friends or your neighbors, if you don’t use them all,” said Hubka.

One local addiction specialist says that it could be a great benefit to have more facilities available for prescription drop-offs.

For a list of prescription drop off locations, visit the link below.

Agencies/Canadajournal