Fall ‘Drug Take-back Day’ 2016 is this weekend

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the location and times below.  The aim of the event is to encourage the public to remove any access to drugs that may potentially be abused by friends, family and others; or would be harmful to pets and children.

Some drugs, such as inhalers, damage the protective ozone layer.  Flushing certain medications down the commode, raises concern about trace levels of drug residues that may be found in surface water, such as rivers and lakes, and in some community drinking water supplies.  The same concern arises if we were to dispose of drugs down our kitchen, bathroom or utility sinks.  It’s a fact that people excrete low levels of medication through their urine when they use the restroom, yet flushing is still no way to get rid of unwanted meds.

Preparing medications for disposal:
Before throwing out a medicine container, scratch out all identifying information on the prescription label to make it unreadable.  This will help protect your identity and the privacy of your personal health information.

Do not give your medicine to friends.  Doctors prescribe medicines based on a person's specific symptoms and medical history.  A medicine that works for you could be dangerous for someone else.

The safest way to get rid of unwanted meds is by going to a drop-off point, but, if you are really unable to go to a drop-off site, take a look at the related video above for another alternative for disposal.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
DATE: Saturday October 22, 2016
TIMES: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

LOCATION: Wild Wing Cafè
      4555 Southside Blvd.
      Jacksonville, FL, 32216

If you live outside the Florida area, check (HERE) with your location and click “start over” to find a drop site near you.