What is the best way to dispose of expired medications or those that are no longer of use?
October 26 (this Saturday!) is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., collection sites across the U.S. will take all kinds of medications, no questions asked.
People with diabetes take a myriad of medications to keep healthy and maintain quality of life. Many of them are expired and need to be properly disposed of.
In addition, people with diabetes often use antidepressants and opioids used to combat pain. These types of prescription drugs, found in medicine cabinets, are often a primary source for misused medicines. They also increase risk of accidental overdose by young children.
50% of people who misused prescription painkillers got them from a friend or family member.
Recover Together has created a constantly updated map of collection centers that will participate in Take Back Day to help with the safe disposal of medications.
Beyond that, Google Maps will be helping so that if you search “medication disposal near me”, pharmacies, hospitals, police stations, and other locations that accept medications year-round will pop up.
National Take Back Day raises awareness on the importance of safe disposal of drugs. This includes environmental risks, health risks, accidental use, and intentional misuse.
According to the EPA, most water treatment facilities cannot filter out drugs. Medicines that are poured down the drain can enter our environment and community drinking water supplies.
Read more about health concerns and drug facts, and find a medication disposal location at Recover Together.
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