Special to Iredell Free News

The Statesville Police Department will be participating in National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 23.

The drop-off times will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Two collection sites will be available for the community to discard their old, unused, and unwanted medications:

♦ Walgreens Pharmacy, located at 951 Davie Avenue; and
♦ CVS Pharmacy, located at 3111 Taylorsville Highway

This will be a drive-thru type event where law enforcement will accept medications from the public. Sharps, including needles and syringes, will also be accepted as part of our partnership with Syringe Safe Iredell.

The SPD collected 135 pounds of medications at our Take Back events in the spring.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs at locations in communities throughout the country. Nationwide, the April 2021 Take Back Day brought in 839,543 pounds of medication. This brings the total amount of prescription drugs collected at Take Back events since the fall of 2010 to about 14.5 million pounds​.

The public can drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at collection sites, which will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.

Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way the DEA and local law enforcement agencies are working to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths.

LEARN MORE

If you need information about local Take Back programs or events please contact Officer Chan Austin at 704-878-3442 or caustin@statesvillenc.net.