Haslam Encourages Tennesseans To Partcipate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today joined Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson to encourage Tennesseans to make an impact on the state’s opioid crisis by cleaning out their expired or unwanted medications on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The biannual event urges citizens to find the medications in their homes, including prescription opioids, and safely and securely dispose of them. During the most recent national take back event last October, Tennesseans disposed of more than 68,000 pounds of medication.
“All of us can play a part in reducing opioid addiction by safely and securely disposing of the expired or unwanted medications in our homes,” Haslam said. “Preventing medication sharing and pill diversion are two effective steps citizens can take to impact Tennessee’s opioid crisis, and through events like this, we are bringing awareness to the prescription drop box resource.”
Chief Anderson noted that Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) makes collection boxes available throughout the year in the lobbies of its eight precincts, as well as at special events. More than 2,400 pounds of medication have been deposited into the MNPD’s collection boxes this year alone.
Prescription drug drop boxes are available year-round at locations across the state, including police departments, sheriff’s offices, and an increasing number of pharmacies. This Saturday, drop off sites will be available across Tennessee. A complete list of locations can be found at this link.
In addition to regularly disposing of expired or unneeded medication, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services encourages Tennesseans to count and secure the medication in their homes through the Count It! Lock It! Drop It! program. The extra step of counting prescription opioid medications and securing them away in a readily-available lock box puts up an extra barrier to drug-seeking behavior.
