Drug Take Back Day Ensures Safe Disposal Of Medications

ROUND ROCK, TX — Medications are important for the treatment of certain illnesses and disease, and many people rely on them to improve quality of life. However, these life-saving medications also pose a threat to our environment and to humans through accidental exposure.

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), accidental exposure to medicine in the home is a major source of unintentional pediatric poisonings in the United States. Each year in the United States, approximately 60,000 emergency department (ED) visits and 450,000 calls to poison centers are made after children under 6 years of age find and ingest medication without caregiver oversight.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, the Round Rock Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offers the opportunity for the community to prevent pill abuse, pill theft, and pediatric poisoning by helping them rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collected 1,129 lbs. of prescription drugs at its April event, and again invites Round Rock residents to bring their prescription medications for disposal to 2701 N. Mays St. in Round Rock. The service is a free and anonymous program, with no questions asked. This event is for Round Rock residents and not intended for medical business to dispose of medications. The DEA regulates how medical businesses dispose of medications.

Take-back programs are the safest and most effective method for proper disposal of prescription drugs. Local, state and federal government agencies organize and monitor the programs and oversee that medications are properly disposed of in accordance with federal law.

Materials accepted include prescription medicines, over-the-counter medications, diabetic test strips, and pet medications. Materials NOT accepted include needles, syringes, thermometers, IV bags, medical devices, and personal care products. If you're not able to not make this event, click HERE for year round drop off locations.

Event Details

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

2701 N. Mays Street Round Rock,TX 78665

(Image via FDA.gov)