National Pill Take-Back Day is April 27

Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County's Stepping It Up Coalition is helping to get the word out on next month's National Pill Take-Back Day.

National Pill Take-Back Day offers residents a chance to get rid of unneeded pills safely.

National Pill Take-Back Day is slated for Saturday, April 27 from 10am to 2pm, according to Lt. Henry Campbell with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.

The general public can go to a drop-off site on that day to get rid of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

The service is free and anonymous, according to Campbell.

Cathy Breazeale, Director of Prevention Services at BHSPC, who heads up the SIU Coalition, says unneeded and expired medication often falls into the wrong hands.

“Sometimes kids can get those medicines from their grandparents or whoever,” she said.

Expired medicine is dangerous, she said. National Pill Take-Back Day gives people a chance to get ride of expired medicine before it harms you.

“Medicine can get old,” Breazeale said. “You may think it's beneficial, but sometimes it can be hurtful to you and to your body.”

She said the group is trying to reach out to the faith-based community, so that they can tell their congregations about Pill Take-Back Day.

“Sometimes in that arena, we're a little hesitant to talk about these issues, but it's a reality of life,” she said.

Breazeale said the group should also consider reaching out to area funeral home directors.

“When people die and they have all these medications in their houses, people need to understand they need to take that and get rid of it,” Breazeale said. “If they don't know where to take it, take to law enforcement.”

The National Pill Take-Back Day drop-off sites are:

Cannon Memorial Hospital, located at 123 W.G. Acker Drive in Pickens

Baptist Easley Hospital, located at 202 Fleetwood Drive in Easley

The Clemson Free Clinic, located at 1198 Tiger Boulevard in Clemson.

The event is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Easley Police Department, Clemson Police Department, Cannon Memorial Hospital and Baptist Easley Hospital.