DEA Announces 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. announced today that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is holding its 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, at locations across South Carolina. The nationwide event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement. Here in South Carolina, collection site locations include the following:

• Greenville Memorial Hospital, at 701 Grove Road in Greenville, sponsored by the Greenville Health System Police Department;
   
• Florence County Sheriff’s Office, at 6719 Friendfield Road in Effingham;
   
• Walgreens in Conway, at 1601 Church Street, sponsored by the Conway Police Department;
   
• Grand Strand Medical Center, at 809 82nd Parkway in Myrtle Beach, sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Police Department;
   
• City of Columbia Police Department, at 1 Justice Square in Columbia;
   
• Richland County Sheriff’s Department, at 5623 Two Notch Road in Columbia;
   
• CVS in Lexington, at 5608 Sunset Boulevard, sponsored by the Lexington Police Department;
   
• Clyburn Center in Aiken, at 1000 Clyburn Place, sponsored by the Aiken Department of Public Safety;
   
• Tidewater Pharmacy in Mt. Pleasant, at 421 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, sponsored by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department; and
   
• Charleston’s Lowcountry Senior Center, at 865 Riverland Drive in Charleston, sponsored by the Charleston Police Department.

“The initiative – now in its tenth year – addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Together with our partners, we are not only holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, but offering other ways to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications.”

“Even in the midst of the pandemic, DEA’s nineteenth take-back event will allow Americans to safely and properly dispose of their unwanted/unused prescription medications,” said the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division Robert J. Murphy. “Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement. DEA will work hand-in-hand with a number of law enforcement, Tribal and community partners, all in effort to stem the tide of prescription drug abuse.”

South Carolinians participating in last year’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day turned in 11,124 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at sites set up throughout the state. Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, DEA wants to ensure that the public is aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs at home.

In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 DEA authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. 

DEA also encourages the public to reach out to their local law enforcement to find out if they have any permanent drug disposal locations throughout their local community.

DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. DEA will also accept vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers, only after the batteries are removed from the devices. If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs cannot be dropped off. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

For more information on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find a collection site near you, visit www.deatakeback.com.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.