Union City Police and the DEA announce National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

UNION CITY, Tenn. — The Union City Police Department, the Obion County Prevention Coalition and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have announced they will give the public another opportunity to prevent drug abuse and theft by safely disposing expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Officials say anyone wishing to dispose of prescription pills or patches (no sharps or liquids) are encouraged to take them to the Baptist Memorial Hospital at 1201 Bishop Street on April 30 between the hours of 10 A.M. and 2 P.M.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications, according to the DEA’s website.

This serves as the 11th drug Take Back event in six years. The Take Back initiative addresses public safety and health issues. Medicines that waste away in home cabinets are susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Usual methods for disposal of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — pose potential safety and health hazards, according to a press release.

According to police, the drug Take Back events are free and anonymous.

For more information, go to the DEA website.