This shop has been compensated by Inmar Intelligence and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NationalPrescriptionDrugTakeBackDay2021
It’s no secret that this country is in the midst of a prescription drug epidemic, particularly when it comes to opioids. Many people are either oblivious to it or think it could never happen to their family until it does. This is why National Drug Take Back Day and proper drug disposal education is so important, and a topic that I love to discuss with the people that I care about and my patients in the pharmacy.
Why Proper Disposal Is Important
I’ve been working in retail pharmacy for over 7 years now (from technician to intern and now pharmacist), and the one thing that hasn’t changed is the lack of knowledge surrounding the proper drug disposal. Many people don’t realize the damage that is done to our environment and to other people when they decide to leave their expired medications in their medicine cabinet or worst throw them down the drain.
When you throw your medications down the drain or in the toilet, those prescription products contaminate our water system, which will eventually lead into our drinking water. This is the worst way to get rid of your expired or unused medications! If you have any expired or unused medications, you also don’t want to leave them sitting in your medicine cabinet as this can lead to drug diversion and drug abuse. I’ve heard so many horror stories at work where teenagers become addicted to their parent’s pain meds or children overdosing our pills left in the medicine cabinet.
What is National Drug Take Back Day?
Mark your calendars because National Drug Take Back Day is on October 23, 2021, this year! The goal of this day is to educate the public about the dangers of improper drug disposal and provide easy options for the public. But one day of the year isn’t enough to stop the epidemic, which is where Inmar LifeInCheck comes in to save the day with their Consumer Drug Take-Back Program. The program’s receptacles are super easy to use and are conveniently located on Drug Take-Back day or any day.
How to Dispose of Your Medications Safely
Instead of throwing them down the drain or leaving them in your home for someone to get into, you can safely dispose of any expired or unused medications using the LifeInCheck Consumer Drug-Take Back receptacles. To find a receptacle near you, simply click on the LifeInCheck link, type in your zip code, and choose the location of your choosing. The finder tool is so easy to use, and you’re sure to find a few different options in your area!
If you are in the Charlotte area like I am, then there are quite a few options to choose from, but I decided to stop into my local pharmacy to drop off a few bottles of expired medications that I had laying around the house. The Inmar LifeInCheck Drug-Take Back receptacles are super easy to use. All you have to do is pull the drawer down, drop your medications inside, and go on about your merry way. Before donating any prescription bottles, make sure to remove any personal information off the bottle just to keep your information protected.
Now It’s Your Turn
Even if you don’t have anything to get rid of right now, you might later or someone in your family may need this information. Before you head off, send this article to one person that you think would benefit from it. The more people who know how to dispose of their medication safely the better chance we have to keep our families safe from the improper use of medications and keep them out of our water system.
