KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In homes across the U.S., there are bottles of medication people may no longer need. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics estimates around 16.3 million people misuse prescriptions every year. Those bottles of unneeded medication inside homes could end up being abused.
To help prevent prescription drug abuse, the Drug Enforcement Administration organizes a national event twice a year meant to encourage people to safely dispose of medication they no longer need. It's called National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and October's event starts on Saturday.
From 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., people in Knoxville and across the state will be able to safely get rid of medications they don't need. The Metro Drug Coalition is partnering with the Knoxville Police Department to host the event, located at a Sam's Club.
It will be at 2920 Knoxville Center Dr., and they will accept all household prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, including narcotics. They will also take liquid medications, pet medications, syringes and expired Narcan.
During the April 2021 Take Back Day event, Tennesseans turned in more than 27,000 lbs. of prescription medications.
The NCDAS said painkillers are the leading type of prescription drug that may be abused, followed by opioids themselves. The center said around 5.8% of Americans over 12 years old abuse prescriptions in a year.
It also said prescription drug abuse has trended downward between 2015 through 2019, from a high of around 7.1% of Americans in 2015.
Anyone who misses out on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day can still safely dispose of medications at drug drop boxes located across Tennessee, found here.