National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is coming up this weekend, and Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) is encouraging everybody to take a moment to clear out any old medications they may have in their home. From leftover painkillers to unused antibiotics, surplus drugs in the medicine cabinet have escalated from a public health worry to a full-blown public health crisis. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health show that most misused or abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, usually through theft from home medicine cabinets. MRHC has two drop-off locations available year-round: the Emergency Department entrance and Manning Pharmacy. These sites can accept small volumes of liquid medication, pills, patches, creams, and inhalers. However, needles, sharps, and illegal substances are not permitted. Officials stress medications should not be flushed down the toilet or simply thrown away, as this could lead to potential safety and health hazards. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is officially scheduled for Saturday, April 30. It is the result of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) effort to remove potentially dangerous medications from circulation. Find a drop-off site near you using the link included below.
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https://www.dea.gov/takebackday
