Individuals with expired or unused prescription drugs can empty their cabinets and safely dispose of them on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the semi-annual national Take Back initiative.

Last April, Americans turned in 552,161 pounds–276 tons–of prescription drugs at over 5,600 sites. In Floyd County over 600 pounds of unused prescription drugs were collected.

This year’s collection event will be held at the Floyd Corporate Support Center, 420 E. Second Ave., from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The initiative, a joint effort of Floyd Medical Center, Floyd Against Drugs and the Drug Enforcement Administration, addresses an important public safety and public health issue, said Marla Baker, Floyd Volunteer Services. Unnecessary or expired medicines can be abused by friends or family members or taken accidentally and cause serious medical complications. If flushed down the toilet, tossed in the trash or washed down the drain, these medicines contaminate public water ways.

At the event, participants will drop their out-of-date or no-longer-needed prescription and over-the-counter drugs into a sealed, locked container, no questions asked, and the container is guarded by an armed police officer. Medics from Floyd Emergency Medical Services will also be on hand to provide free blood pressure screenings.

For more information contact Ms. Baker at 706.509.5110.

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