Why it’s important to discard your expired or unused meds

One significant reason the DEA launched its “take-back” program in 2010 was to address the country’s high rate of opioid consumption and the availability of these medicines in homes everywhere. Since its inception, the “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” program has removed more than 15.2 million pounds of medication from circulation — that’s equivalent in weight to 40 blue whales or what could fit into 18 jumbo jets!

Two other reasons why it’s important:

1.     It prevents misuse.

• Limiting the easy availability of drugs in homes reduces accidental use, drug issues and overdoses.

• According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend. 

2.     It reduces medical waste and pollution.

• These collection events help get unwanted, outdated and unused medications out of homes and into proper medical disposal or drug "reuse" programs.

• Collecting and disposing of medicines the right way can prevent unused medicines from finding their way into the toilet bowl or the trash bin and eventually contaminating the soil or water.

Drug take-back locations

If there’s a medication you no longer use, peel off or black out your name and other personal information. You can then visit a National Take-Back collection site near you on October 29, or walk into one of these centers any day of the week, to give back your unwanted prescriptions.
 

Drop-off in downtown Fresno

Community Regional Medical Center has a new kiosk available to the public in the Deran Koligian Ambulatory Care Center (290 N. Wayte Lane, Fresno, CA 93701).

The kiosk is open during the pharmacy operating hours:

• Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Sunday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Community Health System is proud to be one of more than 13,000 pharmacies, hospitals, police departments and businesses working to help clean out your medicine cabinets throughout the year — making homes safer and ultimately saving lives.