RALEIGH -- The State Bureau of Investigation, along with Safe Kids North Carolina and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, is co-sponsoring a national effort to safely dispose of unused prescription medicines in locations across the state from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Medications are the leading cause of child poisoning, according to Safe Kids, a non-profit organization that helps parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries. Environmental experts say that flushing medicines down the toilet contaminates water supplies and hurts aquatic life.

“Taking expired, unwanted or unused medicines to one of the pill take-back locations is the best disposal method,” SBI Director B.W. Collier said. “This coordinated effort keeps harmful drugs out of the reach of children and prevents chemicals from ending up in the water supply.”

From Aberdeen to Pilot Mountain, law enforcement agencies are participating in U.S. DEA’s National Take-Back Initiative. The State Highway Patrol is offering drop-off sites at its eight troop offices.  For those who do take old medications to drop-off locations, the service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

State and local law enforcement officials oversee the collection of the drugs, the State Highway Patrol provides vehicles to transport the medication and personnel, and the DEA pays to have the medications destroyed at an Environmental Protection Agency-approved incinerator.

North Carolinians have safely disposed of approximately 61 million total doses at pill take-back events since 2009.

“Through these partnerships we are able to remove potentially deadly drugs from households so that they cannot fall into the hands of unsuspecting young people or drug abusers,” said SBI Special Agent in Charge Donnie Varnell of the Diversion and Environmental Crime Unit. “This effort provides the safest way to dispose of old medications.”

According to DEA, medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse, and a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

To find a collection site in North Carolina, go to www.dea.gov. Click on Drug Disposal in the right-hand column, then National Take-Back Initiative / Locate a Collection Site Near You.  Or click here.  

The site is updated regularly with new take-back locations.

 

Contact: Patty McQuillan
Phone: (919) 733-5027