GATLINBURG, Tenn.—On Saturday, October 28, the Gatlinburg Police Department will provide the public an opportunity to rid their homes with potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs, as a part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Takeback Day.
Those wishing to dispose of the unwanted medications can bring them to the Gatlinburg Police Department, located at 1230 East Parkway in Gatlinburg, and drop them in the prescription drug takeback receptacle in the lobby. Accepted medications that may be dropped off include pills or patches. Liquids, needles or sharps can not be accepted.
In addition to the two National Prescription Drug Takeback Day’s, which are held in April and October each year, the Gatlinburg Police Department has its collection receptacle for unwanted prescription drugs set up in the lobby of its offices year-round.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
This past April, Americans turned in over 663,000 pounds at nearly 4,500 collection sites across the Country. DEA, along with its law enforcement partners, have now collected over 8,650 tons of prescription drugs since the inception of the program.
This October’s takeback day marks the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s 25th nationwide event since its inception 12 years ago.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, there are many other ways to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs every day, including the 11,000 authorized collectors that are available all year long. For more information, visit DEA’s year-round collection site locator.
For the latest updates from the City of Gatlinburg, visit GatlinburgTN.gov or visit the City’s Social Media pages on Facebook and Twitter.